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Welcome to the Business Advantage
Small Business Community

Learn. Share. Thrive.

Running a small business is no easy feat. That’s why we’ve created a forum for small business ideas, insider tips, and the industry knowledge you need to help your small business grow.

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Summer Travel Hack for Business Trips
Save valuable time with Steve Strauss’ top travel hack for small business owners on the go.
Summer Reading List for Small Business Owners
Sit down with a few business books this summer for great advice on improving your small business. Rieva shares her top suggestions.
Growing Your Small Business With E-Commerce
Looking to expand your small business? Steve Strauss explains why and how you can start your own online store.

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antiloch in Business Startups7 months ago (Show more Show less)

Should I create my own website using online software, or seek the help of a professional?

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aishley (to antiloch) 12 hours ago (Show more Show less)

If you think you can do it with what exactly you want to have in your website, as well as if your budget is low then I recommend to use online website builder. But, if ther's no budget problem then…

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Steve Strauss in Cash Management2 years ago (Show more Show less)

The Top 5 Small Business Money Mistakes And How to Avoid Them

“I've got to keep breathing. It'll be my worst business mistake if I don't.” – Steve Martin Because mistakes and business are not uncommon, it is a fact that once you get started with your own… (Show more Show less)

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farnkringer 2 days ago (Show more Show less)

I really agree with your point. Yes, it is important to avoid them. The point you raise regarding money lending to the owners is very common and that mistake should not be repeated. It's better to be…

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akshat154 in Introduce Yourself3 days ago (Show more Show less)

Looking for Job, Want to Post Job for Free , Looking for Immediate IT Professional,

Its a honour to introduce you all the First of its kind of job portal, where we believe in sharing the business revenue with our registered users. Our motive of business is " Get Selected and Get… (Show more Show less)

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Chris Brogan in Employees4 days ago (Show more Show less)

Tackle Employee Mental Health Issues and Your Small Business Will Benefit

Before we can do amazing work with the people we most want to serve, we need our employees to feel appreciated and supported. Let’s talk about something on their plate that needs addressing. … (Show more Show less)

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lindseyt in Business Startups4 days ago (Show more Show less)

Opening a franchise

I want to open a franchise in my State, what do I have to do? I want to open a franchise that matches my personality, something that is affordable and obviously makes money! Does anyone have any… (Show more Show less)

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Carol Roth in Credit & Lending2 years ago (Show more Show less)

Small Business Guide to Raising Capital, Part 3: How well do you understand debt?

This is the final post of a three-part series on capital raising mistakes you can easily avoid. For the first post, click here and for the second part, click here. Mistake #9: Not Being Scrappy… (Show more Show less)

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wcmpro 4 days ago (Show more Show less)

This is very actionable advice for those who don't end up getting a shark on Shark Tank. Thanks

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LUCKIEST in Business Startups5 days ago (Show more Show less)

BALDERDASH

Each time you climb a mountain; it's just a different mountain. I've moved so often I lost count, yet each time I learn something new. This time I've learned that it's critical to get a LOT of… (Show more Show less)

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antiloch in Business Startups 12 hours ago

Should I create my own website using online software, or seek the help of a professional?

My business needs a website that is one of the main sources of value to the customer. It needs to provide information on the product, as well as list the customers involved in the current program using photographs and a short description. I don't have a lot of web design skills. Wondering if I should create a site myself or have a professional do it? Thoughts?

in Business Startups Like Show 6 Like (6) • Share

lindseyt in Business Startups 4 days ago

Opening a franchise

I want to open a franchise in my State, what do I have to do?

I want to open a franchise that matches my personality, something that is affordable and obviously makes money!

Does anyone have any suggestions?

I read from this blog: https://thebizex.com/blog/how-to-become-a-successful-franchisee/ and it seemed to match what I thought. What do you think?

in Business Startups Like Show 0 Like (0) • Share

LUCKIEST in Business Startups 5 days ago

BALDERDASH

Each time you climb a mountain; it's just a different mountain. I've moved so often I lost count, yet each time I learn something new.

This time I've learned that it's critical to get a LOT of information. When you feel stuck, keep searching for answers and then search some more.

The first three real estate people I met warned me I'd never find a place with my requirements, including pets, and helpfully added

that I couldn't sell my current place either. I was ready to give up when I found someone who said, "Where'd you hear that? I've got lots of options for you."

As I'm going through this process, I can't help drawing parallels with the way I work with clients in my own business.

A lot of my clients come to me after they've been told their dreams aren't realistic, or they'll never get their copywriting done

unless they spend four or even five figures on a simple project. Or they must find a soul-baring, tear-jerking story if they want to succeed.

To respond, I will draw on an old-fashioned word that captures my sentiments perfectly (not to mention allows this message to go through the filters):

Balderdash!

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LUCKIEST in Business Startups 6 days ago

A PULL QUESTION

Demonstrate your understanding with copywriting to convey a story in one single pull question. A "pull question" is one that "pulls" the reader into your world. Pull questions need to be compelling, but also conversational, specific and engaging....

A PULL QUESTION

Demonstrate your understanding with copywriting to convey a story in one single pull question.

A "pull question" is one that "pulls" the reader into your world.

Pull questions need to be compelling, but also conversational, specific and engaging.

All too often I talk to people who have been advised to create these questions,

but not given advice or instructions.

That's when we get questions like, "Are you struggling to find a better life??"

To find empathetic pull questions you can interview your clients, keep an eye on discussion forums,

and notice what people talk about when writing book reviews.

The key is to create word pictures with each question, being specific rather than general.

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LUCKIEST in Business Startups 6 days ago

Storytelling

Storytelling guides often advise you to “tell your own story.” That's good advice. It means, "Don't copy someone else's story. Be original." But when we hear, “Tell your own story” and it's easy to interpret this advice as,...

Storytelling

Storytelling guides often advise you to “tell your own story.” That's good advice.

It means, "Don't copy someone else's story. Be original."

But when we hear, “Tell your own story” and it's easy to interpret this advice as, “Tell a story about you.”

We’re supposed to share how we got from there to here, preferably with plot twists like conquering stubborn obstacles,

hitting bottom and getting saved by a brilliant idea.  

The truth is, there’s no one story — or story archetype — that fits all businesses.

And your personal story may not be the most relevant or powerful for your prospects.

Good luck.

in Business Startups Like Show 1 Like (1) • Share

wallmann in Community Feedback 1 week ago

Did you know that business owners are about to lose 40% of an important deduction?

If you are a business owner you are about to lose 40% of an important deduction that you had otherwise planned on – you don’t want to be the reason why. Open this link and try our free, real-time calculation and...

Did you know that business owners are about to lose 40% of an important deduction?

If you are a business owner you are about to lose 40% of an important deduction that you had otherwise planned on – you don’t want to be the reason why.

Open this link and try our free, real-time calculation and qualification program to see how to be the hero rather than the zero to everyone in your business.

www.PropertyTaxBenefits.com

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safekeeper in Business Startups 1 week ago

Is P&G Brand Mr. Clean Home Pro Anti Bacterial Cleaner with Summer Citrus Container Model Needs to be Upgraded?.

Mr. Clean container brand is very popular but How come it became Mr. Clean when in fact you see them garbage thrown everywhere by consumers after the content where utilized?. The answer must be yes too in connection with Unilever product sample upgrade.The container is very different in the history of P&G where the minimum proposal is 4 liters square type with smartphone attach placement compartment.The model proposal is equip with GPS microchip where it tracks down every refill process.Also the name of buyer,address,social security system is registered into it(plus more room for data extension info). The idea is not to throw the container when content fluid cleaner is depleted.Refill policy program for all products of detergent cleaner models.The target is zero garbage record for all P&G products made.Consumers who bought it will not throw it for its better to keep it than to throw it for its continues to be useful in the eyes of consumers.All P&G staff will be tracking the products made by them for proper return to buyers when the items where thrown intentionally or unintentionally.(To be cont. for proper update).I worked with Unilever Network Philippines where my I.D is PHP0910376.I made recommendation too for product innovation.I wanted to build a store model mobile for local and international for marketing for prototype model products made by me.I need more finance budget loan program for me to complete projects available on demands.

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safekeeper in Business Startups 2 weeks ago

Is there a need for Aviance homecare products container to innovate?.

The answer should be yes.I will be siting one example,Malaysian homepage web Unilever Network.LeverHome Dishwash,the way I looked at it must have a security features that it didn't happen in the history of Aviance(Unilever) to be installed with ownership microchip tracking device.The propose model would mean tracking every refill time schedule when the container is already depleted.Also too,it tracks down the address mobile location of the owner who bought it.Wherever the product is,there the owner is.More security features too will be mention later.The idea is to let the product be with you all the time by not throwing it away as garbage when content is already depleted.Refill policy programs for all Unilever products to reduce recycling costs as well as invironmental damage for all products consume by buyers.(to be cont.)

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ritzparker in Business Startups 3 weeks ago

11 Small Business Tools for Entrepreneurs and Startup Companies

In today’s Internet-powered world, smart entrepreneurs and small businesses are growing faster and becoming stronger with every passing day. So, to stay on top of your business endeavor you need to master some of the great tools that will...

11 Small Business Tools for Entrepreneurs and Startup Companies

To beat the competition in your industry you need to implement the tools that will increase the productivity and efficiency of your team and provide you time to focus on the most important aspects of your business.

There are hundreds of marketing related, services related and modern technology related tools available online to help you grow your business. However, to choose the best ones you have to put a lot of time and efforts.

So, to save you from that hassle we have reviewed and listed 11 of the best business tools that are cost-effective and provide great values to your business.

#1 Hootsuite

Managing all social media accounts regularly and publishing new posts frequently can become an area of concern for small business owners and entrepreneurs simply due to lack of time and proper resources. After signing up for Hootsuite you can manage all your social media platforms with its simple and easy to use dashboard.

Features:

Schedule post - You can schedule your upcoming social media posts in advance which will save you a lot of time and will keep you active on various social media channels.
Analyze the performance - You can analyze your social media performance by tracking the number of followers you are getting, your most shared and liked posts by your audience.
Find content - With Hootsuite you can find lots of attractive and compelling content and images which you can post on your social media channels to engage your visitors.
Security - Hootsuite prevents your brand from all sorts of social media threats by providing its advanced social media security features.

Pricing:

3O Days free trial.
Professional Plan - 29$ per month
Business Plan - 599$ per month

#2 Slack

Slack is a communication and teamwork management tool. Slack lets you manage project works and conversation with your business partners or team members from a single platform across all devices. Using slack you can send emails, reply to text messages and follow up someone on Twitter without any headache.

Features:

You can divide your team members according to their profiles, projects to properly monitor the work of your organization.
Collaborate and share your channel with the companies and businesses you frequently work with to expand your business network.
Make conversation over voice or video calls and share screen to track the progress of projects.
With the help of slack, you can effortlessly share files, images, videos, PDFs with others and make an archive of feedback of your work.

Pricing:

Free version
Standard - 6.67$ per month
Plus - 12.50$ per month

#3 Evernote

Evernote is a note-taking application which is very helpful for busy business owners and entrepreneurs. It lets you take notes of business-related ideas, plans, thoughts from anywhere in the world. Further, you can save the notes, audio recordings, photos, clipped web documents etc. in an organized way so that you can find them later easily.

Features:

You can write your notes, collect web clippings and page screenshots, record audio notes, create a to-do list, highlight or comment on images.
Sort your documents and important files by date, tag or title to arrange them properly.
Share your notes with anyone in your business group.
You can set permission-lock to prevent anyone from accessing your personal notes.
You can convert your notes to a PowerPoint presentation with one click.

Pricing:

Basic - Free version
Premium - 7.99$ per month
Business - 14.99$ per month

#4 Trello

Trello is one of the most popular projects management software to organize and track the progress of any project in your organization. You can create various cards, boards, set deadlines, add notes using your Trello account.

Features:

Organize and plan collaborations with clients, colleagues, business owners.
Customize your account with various tags, labels, cards, and categories.
Upload various files and attachments.
The mobile-friendly
With its free version you can access some basic services, but for other advanced features, you have to subscribe to their premium plans.

Pricing:

Free forever plan.
Business class - 9.99$ per month
Enterprise - 20.83$ per month

#5 Shopify

Shopify is an e-commerce software that helps you build an online e-commerce shop of your own. With the help of its marketing, drop shipping, shopping carts, SEO features you can manage all the functionalities of your online store from a single platform.

Features:

You can use top quality themes for your website from its collection of more than 70 professional themes.
With the help of its easy-to-customize templates, you can customize your online store according to your choice and build your brand online.
Your Shopify store comes with an in-built mobile commerce shopping cart feature that lets your customers browse your products, services, and buy directly from their smartphones or other mobile devices.
You can integrate your Shopify store with more than 100 payment gateways across the globe.
You can offer free shipping services to your customers for a certain order size and price point.

Pricing:

14 Days of the free trial.
Basic - 29$ per month
Advanced - 299$ per month

#6 Skype

Skype is the world's one of the most used and recommended internet calling services offered by Microsoft. It provides audio and video calling services, messaging, file and screen sharing between computers and mobile devices across the world.

Features:

Calling service - You can connect with your friends, families, business members, colleagues with the Skype calling service for absolutely free. You can even make a group-call with up to 25 people at once.
Video service - You can chat through video calls and virtually interact with others face to face.
Message service - You can send text messages, emojis, video messages, voice messages instantly using Skype.
File sharing service - You can share documents, images, videos etc. of any size. At the same time, you can share your screen with others to track the progress of any task.

Pricing:

Skype is free
Skype for Business is not free

#7 Asana

Asana is a productivity tool to manage your works, projects, and daily tasks. This tool helps you grow your business and improve the efficiency of the team members.

Features:

Plan your tasks and prioritize them according to the deadlines, and share them with the team members.
With Asana you can track the project improvement in every step to achieve your certain business goals.
As Asana connects with Google Drive, Dropbox, Onedrive you can easily share files and documents from your computer.

Pricing:

Premium - 9.99$ per month
Business - 19.99$ per month
Enterprise - Contact sales team

#8 Boomerang

Boomerang for Gmail is an email-communication tool to improve the email service. It provides you with an option to schedule emails and monitor their performances.

Features:

Using Boomerang, you can write your emails and schedule them to send at your preferred time.
At times there are some important emails we need to send or receive. Using its reminder feature you can easily send, receive or follow up with people.
Boomerang is also available for Android and iOS devices. This lets you stay connected over email on the go.

Pricing:

Basic - Free
Personal - 4.99$ per month
Premium - 49.99$ per month

#9 Google Analytics

Google Analytics is one of the best analytical tools which has loads of features to improve any website’s performance. There are some of the best features available in Google Analytics which every marketer and small business owners must know to grow their businesses.

Features:

You can track your campaigns and monitor the traffic on your website. Further, you can analyze their activities on different pages of your site.
You can track the leads and conversions of your website by the number of requests for the product demos, email sign-ups, ebook downloading, contact form submissions, purchases etc. This will help you to target your customers according to their interests.
You can create custom reports with the Google Analytics data according to your business goals.

Pricing: Free

#10 Hubspot

Hubspot is inbound marketing software that helps to gain more traffic to your website, generates leads and converts your website visitors to potential customers.

Features:

Increases visitors and generates leads to your optimized landing pages.
Follows up with the buyers through email automation system.
Provides full customer assistance and builds relationships with your customers.
The free version of Hubspot provides basic marketing facilities whereas the paid version gives you many other advanced marketing features.
Hubspot is available for Windows, Mac as well as for Android and iOS devices.

Pricing:

Free version
Starter - 50$ per month
Enterprise - 3,200$ per month

#11 Paypal

Paypal is one of the most used and trusted online payment service providers. Using Paypal you can make and receive payments for your business in more than 100 currencies. It is one of the fastest and safest payment options available online.

Features:

You can make payment for any online purchases using the credit card, debit card, online banking etc. or send money to another PayPal account in 100+ different currencies.
You can withdraw your payments from more than 200 countries using PayPal.
You can request payments from people who don’t have a PayPal account using an email address.

Pricing:

Free sign up.
3.7% of the transaction amount plus $0.30 USD

Conclusion:

Hope you have found this article helpful. Though there are plenty of tools available today, the tools we have mentioned here will fulfill most of your business requirements. Most of the aforesaid tools offer free trials, so you can include those tools in your business plan to check their effectiveness. And as your business gets bigger, you can go for the paid versions that fit your budget and resolve your business needs.

This article was brought to you by PromozSEO Web Marketing Academy, a Digital Marketing training program in Kolkata, India.

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safekeeper in Business Startups 3 weeks ago

How would I know if my Unilever Network Philippines(independent party) account PHP0910376 in Unilever is already link with Lazada for 2019 onwards?.

I am not sure if my account in Unilever Network Philippines registered as business associate account number PHP0910376 is already declared as international executive business associate as official for 2019 onwards.I am not yet reaching the minimum qouta for 50 personal volume as business associate.I already visited Lazada many times and checked for Unilever products being displayed online from January 2019 up to June this year.My project is not yet complete for funding update finance for container of Unilever detergents(replacement model) available for circulation in local and international market.

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Chris Brogan in Employees 3 days ago

Tackle Employee Mental Health Issues and Your Small Business Will Benefit

Before we can do amazing work with the people we most want to serve, we need our employees to feel appreciated and supported. Let’s talk about something on their plate that needs addressing.

There’s a new challenge to most businesses, and that’s the mental wellbeing of employees. We don’t talk about it much, yet with the advent of mobile devices, our home stress comes with us to work and our problems at the office find their way to our houses.

First off, very few people want to self-identify as dealing with mental health issues. But that doesn’t mean they’re not present. According to surveys like the World Health Organization’s 2017 workplace report, 1 in 5 adults experience mental illness in a given year.

How can we help? And should we help?

Probably the most important ways managers and leaders and coworkers can make the workplace more navigable for people dealing with mental health challenges is to normalize talking about it.“Wow, I’ve been dealing with some stuff at home and it’s really got my anxiety levels up high.”

The key is to do more “I” talking than “you” talking. No one wants to hear, “You sure look stressed.” But if you say, “I’ve been slogging through depression lately. I’ve got to chunk up my day better,” that opens people to say, “Oh wow. Need me to listen?”

Chunk up assignments, projects, and everyday work with more checkpoints. One issue when mental health challenges happen is that everything feels a bit more daunting, more of a grind. Even if the deadline is the same, adding more checkpoints means that incremental progress is acknowledged and easier to reference. Sometimes, just knowing you’re getting work done helps reduce stress and anxiety.

Add a Reset Button

My best advice for helping is to install more “reset buttons.”At work, we get wound up sometimes. Deadlines, tough meetings, conflicting client needs can all contribute to a ratcheting feeling of intense emotions.

Culture improves immensely when you build the practice of reset buttons into place. The moment we see a little distress and energy in a person or a conversation, maybe say, “Maybe we can hit the reset button for a second.”

If everyone agrees, it’s a moment to stop talking, take a breath (or four) and reset the moment. How many times have you felt really ratcheted up in a moment but it’s just temporary? That’s what this helps.

Empathy Drives Amazing Business

If you work to help employees have a better environment for managing stress, anxiety and depression, that will result in better work performance and less absenteeism. Sure, this isn’t a quick “write better subject lines” fix or a piece of software to change the business, but is that what will earn you better employees and the best customers?

Help your employees feel heard, understood and nurtured, and you’ll have the best customer advocates in the world.

About Chris Brogan

Chris Brogan is an author, keynote speaker and business advisor who helps companies update organizational interfaces to better support modern humans. The age of factory-sized interactions is over. We all come one to a pack. And it’s time to accept that we are all a little bit dented. Chris advisesleadership teams to empower team members by sharing actionable insights on talent development. He also works with marketing and communications teams to more effectively reach people who want to be seen and understood before they buy what a company sells.

Web: https://chrisbrogan.com Twitter: @ChrisBrogan

Related content:

Finding Hope Among the Rubble: A Q&A with Demo Diva’s Simone Bruni
How Your Business Can Recover from a Catastrophic Problem

About Rieva Lesonsky

Rieva Lesonsky is CEO and Co-founder of GrowBiz Media, a custom content and media company focusing on small business and entrepreneurship, and the blog SmallBizDaily.com. A nationally known speaker and authority on entrepreneurship, Rieva has been covering America’s entrepreneurs for more than 30 years. Before co-founding GrowBiz Media, Lesonsky was the long-time Editorial Director of Entrepreneur Magazine. Lesonsky has appeared on hundreds of radio shows and numerous local and national television programs, including the Today Show, Good Morning America, CNN, The Martha Stewart Show and Oprah.

Lesonsky regularly writes about small business for numerous websites and for corporations targeting entrepreneurs. Many organizations have recognized Lesonsky for her tireless devotion to helping entrepreneurs. She served on the Small Business Administration’s National Advisory Council for six years, was honored by the SBA as a Small Business Media Advocate and a Woman in Business Advocate, and received the prestigious Lou Campanelli award from SCORE. She is a long-time member of the Business Journalists Hall of Fame.

Web: www.growbizmedia.com or Twitter: @Rieva

Bank of America, N.A. engages with Rieva Lesonsky to provide informational materials for your discussion or review purposes only. Rieva Lesonsky is a registered trademark, used pursuant to license. The third parties within articles are used under license from Rieva Lesonsky. Consult your financial, legal and accounting advisors, as neither Bank of America, its affiliates, nor their employees provide legal, accounting and tax advice.

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Bank of America SB Team in Credit & Lending 1 week ago

Your Small Business Administration Checklist

SBA loan application 7(a) loan program: Borrower Information Form — SBA Form 1919 SBA Express: Please see your Bank of America business banker for the most current form. Microloan program: CDC/504 loan program: Application for Business...

Your Small Business Administration Checklist

SBA loan application

7(a) loan program: Borrower Information Form — SBA Form 1919
SBA Express: Please see your Bank of America business banker for the most current form.
Microloan program:
CDC/504 loan program: Application for Business Loan —
Disaster loans:

After a presidential disaster declaration, submit a Disaster Loan Application and IRS Form 4506-T directly to the SBA. The following information will be required:

Contact information
Social Security number
FEMA registration number
Deed or lease information
Insurance information
Income, account balance, monthly expenses and other financial information
Employer identification number (EIN) for business applicants

Business certificate or license

Be ready to present your original business license or certificate. If your business is a corporation, you can simply stamp your seal on your SBA application form.

Income tax returns

Submit your returns for the previous three years, including personal and business returns for each of your company’s principals.

Business overview and history

Here is where you tell your company’s story. It can be brief but should include what challenges you’ve faced, how you’ve overcome them, why you need an SBA loan and how it will benefit your business.

Personal background and financial history

Statement of Personal History — SBA Form 912
Personal Financial Statement — SBA Form 413

Business financial statements

Profit and loss (P&L) statement: Summarize your revenues, costs and expenses to within 90 days of your application, including supplementary schedules from the past three fiscal years.
Projected financial statement: Predict your income and finances for the coming year in detail, including a written strategy for how you plan to get there.

Ownership and affiliations

Do you have subsidiaries or affiliates? List them all here, including all controlling interests, stock ownership, franchises, proposed mergers and all other such concerns.

Loan application history

Résumés

Submit a résumé for every principal involved in your business.

Business lease

If you’re purchasing an existing business, please provide:

Current balance sheet of prospective business
Profit and loss statement of prospective business
Two years of federal income tax returns of prospective business
Proposed bill of sale (including terms of sale)
Complete schedule of inventory, machinery and equipment, and furniture and fixtures
Confirmed asking price

All programs subject to credit approval and loan amounts are subject to creditworthiness. Some restrictions may apply. The term, amount, interest rate and repayment schedule for your loan, and any product features, including interest rate locks, may vary depending on your creditworthiness and on the type, amount and collateral for your loan. Bank of America may prohibit use of an account to pay off or pay down another Bank of America account. Repayment structure, prepayment options and early payoff are all subject to product availability and credit approval. Other restrictions may apply.

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Bank of America SB Team in Credit & Lending 1 week ago

How to apply for a Small Business Administration Loan

The Small Business Administration (SBA) is a government agency dedicated to small business growth. The organization offers several loan programs for a wide variety of needs and company types, but the SBA does not directly lend money; they partner with banks, community development organizations and micro-lending institutions and set guidelines for how those lenders can structure loans. Each type of SBA loan is unique and involves parameters and stipulations not necessarily offered in other SBA loans. These conditions often revolve around how the money can be used and the terms under which it should be repaid.

Ready to apply? – Now it’s time to get ready to complete and present all the necessary paperwork. Follow the five steps to a successful SBA loan application¹:

Step 1. Know exactly what your business needs are.

Know the answers to these questions:

Why do you need the money?
How much do you need?
How long will it take you to pay it back?
What is the current financial health of your business?
Do you have collateral to put up?
How fast do you need the money?

The answers you give may help determine your best course of action. Once you know how much you need and how it will be used, the better equipped you’ll be to determine the best loan option for your business needs.

Step 2. Know what lenders are looking for.

The 5 C’s of Credit:

Capacity – Can your business absorb unexpected expenses or a downturn in the economy?
Capital – Do your assets outweigh your liabilities? How much capital have you and others invested?
Collateral – This includes accounts receivable, inventory, cash, equipment, and commercial real estate.
Conditions – Certain factors may affect your ability to make payments, such as the economy, industry trends, and pending legislation.
Character – Personal integrity, industry experience, credit history, and good standing are critically important.

Be prepared to detail what you plan to do with the borrowed funds. Back up your request with facts that support how much you are asking to borrow. Lenders appreciate the effort, and it will give them the confidence they need to trust in your ability to pay them back.

Step 3: Provide and overall financial snapshot of your small business.

Be prepared to present your small business in the best light possible.

Be ready to share details about the financial side of your business. Provide the lender with a comprehensive background on your company, future growth plans and your own personal information.

Maintain a good credit score
Borrow only what you know you can pay back
Present a repayment plan, complete with projections and a safety net
Show a history of paying bills on time
Provide collateral

Step 4: Choose the SBA loan that is right for your business

The 5 types of SBA Loans:

SBA 7(a) Loan
SBA Express Loan
SBA Microloan
SBA 504 Loan
SBA Disaster Loan

Step 5: Complete and present all the necessary paperwork.

Get a checklist here.

¹All programs subject to credit approval and loan amounts are subject to creditworthiness. Some restrictions may apply. The term, amount, interest rate and repayment schedule for your loan, and any product features, including interest rate locks, may vary depending on your creditworthiness and on the type, amount and collateral for your loan. Bank of America may prohibit use of an account to pay off or pay down another Bank of America account. Repayment structure, prepayment options and early payoff are all subject to product availability and credit approval. Other restrictions may apply.

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Bank of America SB Team in Credit & Lending 1 week ago

Need a loan? The Small Business Administration can help.

More business owners are looking to borrow capital today than in recent years. There are many reasons for this: to provide better training and development for employees; to invest in new equipment or to expand operations; and to enhance health...

Need a loan? The Small Business Administration can help.

What is a Small Business Administration (SBA) loan?

The SBA is a government agency dedicated to small business growth. The organization offers several loan programs for a wide variety of needs and company types, but the SBA does not directly lend money; they partner with banks, community development organizations and micro-lending institutions and set guidelines for how those lenders can structure loans. Each type of SBA loan is unique and involves parameters and stipulations not necessarily offered in other SBA loans. These conditions often revolve around how the money can be used and the terms under which it should be repaid. The details of the program are constantly changing, so the more familiar your banker is with SBA loans, the simpler the process could be for you.

There are two types of lenders that handle SBA loans:

SBA standard lender – this qualified lender must submit transactions for review and receive a guarantee upon approval for every loan.
SBA preferred lender – this lender is the more qualified of the two types. Loan approval times can be reduced because the SBA checks only the lender’s justification of eligibility for the borrower, not their underwriting. Bank of America is an SBA Preferred Lender.

SBA Loan Advantages:

Guaranteed by the government. If the loan is defaulted or unpaid, the lender can ask the government to honor the loan. This reduces the risk to the lender, allowing it to extend credit to borrowers it might otherwise decline.
Favorable terms. Because of the government guarantee, lenders may be able to provide loans with more favorable terms than a conventional loan.
More time to pay. Repayment terms are longer than traditional loans, extended to up to 10 and even up to 25 years in some cases. Plus, on loan terms of less than 15 years, there is no prepayment penalty.
Affordability. SBA loans often require lower down payments, which allows the borrower to preserve the cash they need to operate the business.

Things to be aware of:

Complex Process. Due to the government’s involvement, the application process may be more document-intensive and could possibly include extra fees not found in traditional loans.
Lengthier Approval. The time it takes to get approved or denied can be much longer than with a conventional loan.
- Applying for an SBA loan can be time consuming. Fortunately, the SBA has a Preferred Lenders Program (PLP) that’s designed to simplify and expedite the loan-approval process.

Learn more about Small Business Administration Loans from Bank of America.¹

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Bank of America SB Team in Credit & Lending 1 week ago

Choosing the right Small Business Administration (SBA) loan for your business.

If you’ve read our previous post, “Need a loan? The Small Business Administration can help." you’re familiar with some of the reasons why the United States government guarantees loans to small businesses. The next step is to...

Choosing the right Small Business Administration (SBA) loan for your business.

SBA 7(a) loan

The 7(a) loan is the basic SBA loan; designed to finance established small businesses.
It can offer access to more capital with longer terms and, in many cases, improved cash flow.
Flexible and ideal for general business purposes and operational expenses, such as:
- Purchasing or expanding a business
- Working capital, improvements, or refinancing
- Equipment, including machinery and vehicles
- Furniture and other office essentials such as printers, fixtures, and more
- Purchase, refinancing, build, or renovate commercial property
Advantages:
- Longer maturity and easier qualification than conventional loans
- Lower down payments
Loan Maturity:
- Up to seven years for working capital
- Up to 10 years for equipment and business acquisition
- Up to 25 years for real estate
Maximum loan amount:
- $5 million

SBA Express loan

This loan is generally used for equipment and working capital. Connect with your business banker or loan specialist to learn more.
Ideal for:
- Working capital
- Purchasing equipment
- Financing vehicles or inventory
Advantages:
- Longer maturity than some conventional loans
- Easier qualifications than a conventional loan
Loan Maturity:
- Up to seven year-term with first-year revolving option and balance amortized across the remainder of the term for working capital
- Up to 10 year term for equipment
Maximum loan amount:
- $350,000

SBA Microloan

This is a very small, short-term loan, typically offered to new and growing small businesses and to certain types of not-for-profit child care centers.
For microloans, you may need to fulfill training or planning requirements designed to help you launch or expand your business in order to be considered eligible.
Ideal for:
- Working capital
- Supply and inventory purchases
- Equipment, including machinery and vehicles
- Furniture and other office essentials such as printers and fixtures
- Partner buyouts
Cannot be used for:
- Debt repayment
- Real estate
Maximum repayment term is six years and varies based on:
- Amount
- Plans for the funds
- Needs of the borrower
- Specific lender requirements
Maximum loan amount:
- $50,000
- Average loan: $13,000

SBA 504 loan

Primarily used for real estate and equipment, this loan offers long-term, fixed-rate financing for major assets, including land and buildings.
To qualify:
- Net worth of your small business should be less than $15 million
- Net income cannot exceed $5 million after taxes for each of the previous two years
- SBA covers 40% of total cost, lender covers up to 50%, and borrower puts up the remainder
Ideal for:
- Buying land
- Financing long-term machinery
- Purchasing existing buildings
- Building or renovating facilities
- Refinancing debt (must be connected to business expansion)
Cannot be used for:
- Working capital or inventory
Advantages:
- Longer maturity and easier qualification than conventional loans
- Lower down payments or fixed assets
Loan maturity:
- Up to two years on interim construction period
- 7 to 10 years on equipment
- 10 to 20 years on real estate
Maximum loan amount:
- $350,000 minimum, no maximum

SBA Disaster loan

Designed to help businesses damaged, destroyed or affected in a declared disaster, a disaster loan offers low interest rates.
Can be used for repairing or replacing business assets such as:
- Real estate
- Machinery
- Equipment
- Inventory
Maximum loan amount:
- $2 million
Following a presidential disaster declaration, a Disaster Loan Application and IRS Form 4506-T must be submitted directly to the SBA. The following information will be required:
- Contact information
- Social Security number
- Federal Emergency Management Agency(FEMA) registration number
- Deed or lease information
- Insurance information
- Income, account balance, monthly expenses, and other financial information
- Employer identification number (EIN) for business applicants

Learn more about Small Business Administration Loans through Bank of America.¹

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marismith in Sales & Marketing 1 week ago

How to Vet Influencers for Your Small Business

While many small business owners may understand the benefits of influencer marketing, the challenge is finding the right influencers with which to partner. It’s easy to look at a social media profile and be impressed by the number...

How to Vet Influencers for Your Small Business

While many small business owners may understand the benefits of influencer marketing, the challenge is finding the right influencers with which to partner.

It’s easy to look at a social media profile and be impressed by the number of followers the person has, or the beautiful aesthetic they created on their feed.

However, just because a profile looks like it’s a great fit for your brand, you don’t know for certain without checking thoroughly. This is why carrying out your own research and taking the time to build a relationship with influencers before making an investment is so important.

Taking the time to vet influencers will help you:

Increase the likelihood of positive ROI
Limit reputation damage
Reduce overall costs

I’ve outlined a few tactics that will help you to select the best influencers for your business and program.

Partner with content creators

Not all influencers are created equal. One group of influencers tends to focus on driving the numbers: building a large community with an extensive reach. Others focus on the creation of content. With the latter, community growth has come through followers’ appreciation for their dedication to becoming an expert at their craft.

Both types of influencers have value, but in different ways. An influencer will take your product/service and show their affiliation, hoping their audience will then go on to buy based on their endorsements.

Content creators tend to be more selective in who they choose to work with because of their dedication to maintaining the authenticity of their brand. Content creators bring additional value in the quality of content, as well as the loyal audience they have built in their follower base.

Creators tend to be much more involved in creating a collaborative partnership and using their skills to showcase the value of your product through their own content creation.

By focusing on collaborating with content creators who have built a highly engaged audience, your investment brings in influence and the creative skill to highlight your products and/or services in the best possible way.

Carry out extensive research

As great as the rise and benefits of influencer marketing has become, there is a downside. There are a number of accounts who have purchased fake likes, followers and engagement to appear influential when, in fact, they are not. Naturally, they don’t have any real influence over their community, therefore, investing in them can be very costly with no return to be made.

This means you need to carry out extensive research as part of the vetting process. It starts with studying their audience.

Here are a few key things to look out for:

Audience Authenticity

Look at their followers and following. Are the individuals real? Click through and pay close attention to the content and engagement of the influencer's followers. It should be very easy to tell who is real and who is not. Look for potential bot activity and fake followers. If a significant number of followers appear to be fake, this lets you know this influencer is not a good fit for your business.

Audience Demographics

Influence is the ability to alter behavior or change opinion. This is only valuable to you as a small business owner if it’s influencing the right people, i.e. your ideal target audience. Without the right audience fit it’s unlikely that, even with a strong influencer behind you, that you will be able to convert to sales.

An influencer will know their audience and they will easily be able to share this information with you. However, it’s important you take the time to research and verify this yourself. Take the time to manually go through the influencer’s account, paying particular attention to who is engaging most.

Don’t compromise on ‘good enough.’ It has to be natural for your brand, for the influencer, and for their audience. This is key in driving up your return on investment.

Level of Engagement and Sentiment

When looking at the engagement of an influencer, you don’t just want to focus on quantity. Pay close attention to quality. Are followers initiating conversations with the influencer? How excited are followers when they reply? Are they interested in taking advice and following the influencer’s behavior? Are the same people commenting on every post?

More importantly, is the influencer replying to comments and using them as a means to keep the conversation going? This will let you know how much the influencer is invested in their community and building strong relationships with them.

If you are going to invest in someone to represent your brand, you want to know they care.

Organic vs. Sponsored Engagement

Paying close attention to the engagement an influencer receives provides a good general indication of how influential an account is. The real indicator is when you take a look at their individual posts. Specifically, focus on the engagement of their organic posts vs. sponsored posts.

It’s very easy to tell. If an influencer is following the correct guidelines, their post will say sponsored and typically include #ad. Plus, Facebook has the special “Branded Content” tag used in both organic posts and in ads. Instagram is rolling this feature out to more accounts. If you come across content that is clearly sponsored but isn’t clearly labelled, this is a big indication that this influencer is not a good fit.

You want to know that people are very engaged in the person behind the account and that content will generally perform as well whether it is organic or sponsored. If you see a significant drop in engagement on sponsored posts, this may be an indication that the influencer’s audience is not receptive towards their offers.

There are a number of tools that can help you with this process. For example, Social Bakers, Buzzsumo and BrandWatch are all popular options. These should be used to support your manual research.

Build a relationship with the Influencer first

Influencer marketing is collaborative. It requires both parties to be aligned and working towards a shared common goal. You want the collaboration to be fun. The influencer should feel like a natural extension of your team.

Take the time to get on a call or video chat a few times before committing to working together. Look for brand voice alignment. Determine if their beliefs and core values match yours.

Ideally, you want to be in a situation where you would each promote one another regardless of a paid agreement being in place.

Understand the Influencer’s past experience

Once you’ve established an influencer to be a good fit for your business, reach out and ask about the influencer’s experience. Having proof of past results is more valuable than looking at vanity metrics. It will show you the real ROI of working with them. Having achieved measured results for other clients eliminates the risk of your campaign not working.

The influencer’s past brand collaborations will help you cross check the quality of the influencer’s audience, skill level and their ability to execute your campaign.

Set clear expectations up front

One of the most challenging steps with influencer marketing is managing the relationship and managing expectations. This applies to both parties. It’s likely you have different ways of working. You need to ensure you both understand one another and collaborate to define the process you’ll both commit to executing.

Part of building a relationship early on will help with this. Do they turn up on time for meetings? Are they sticking to the same key messages? Do they speak with clarity and confidence? Do they bring creative ideas to the table that are win:win? Do you have clear expectations they have shared up front with you?

The level of professionalism that the influencer brings to the table will provide the confidence they will be able to execute on their promise.

Disclosure Regulations

As mentioned above, it’s critical the influencer you choose to partner with is aware of, and adheres to, the disclosure regulations of their jurisdiction. You have to protect your business. Find more information on the Federal Trade Commission’s (FTC) guidelines here.

Taking these steps before proceeding with an agreement with an influencer can help protect your brand and ensure you are building long-term collaborative partnerships with mutual gains. Take your time. Be selective. Follow a clear process and start building your business today with the right influencers in your corner.

Using Micro-Influencers to Drive Business in A Local Market

About Mari Smith

Often referred to as “the Queen of Facebook,” Mari Smith is considered one of the world’s foremost experts on Facebook marketing and social media. She is a Forbes’ Top Social Media Power Influencer, author of The New Relationship Marketing and coauthor of Facebook Marketing: An Hour A Day. Forbes recently described Mari as, “… the preeminent Facebook expert. Even Facebook asks for her help.” She is a recognized Facebook Partner; Facebook headhunted and hired Mari to lead the Boost Your Business series of live events across the US. Mari is an in-demand speaker, and travels the world to keynote and train at major events.

Her digital marketing agency provides professional speaking, training and consulting services on Facebook and Instagram marketing best practices for Fortune 500 companies, brands, SMBs and direct sales organizations. Mari is also an expert webinar and live video broadcast host, and she serves as Brand Ambassador for numerous leading global companies.

Web: Mari Smith or Twitter: @MariSmith

Bank of America, N.A. engages with Mari Smith to provide informational materials for your discussion or review purposes only. Mari Smith is a registered trademark, used pursuant to license. The third parties within articles are used under license from Mari Smith. Consult your financial, legal and accounting advisors, as neither Bank of America, its affiliates, nor their employees provide legal, accounting and tax advice.

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Rieva Lesonsky in General Business 2 weeks ago

Christmas in July: Getting a Head Start on the Holiday Shopping Season

Put down your Pina Colada and step away from the pool. If you’re a retailer, now is the time to start planning for holiday shopping success. Last year 89 million consumers shopped both online and in stores over Black Friday...

Christmas in July: Getting a Head Start on the Holiday Shopping Season

Put down your Pina Colada and step away from the pool. If you’re a retailer, now is the time to start planning for holiday shopping success.

Last year 89 million consumers shopped both online and in stores over Black Friday weekend, an increase of nearly 40 percent from 2017, according to the National Retail Federation (NRF). With the economy in booming condition, sales are likely to be just as strong this year. But there’s plenty of competition—so take these steps this month to put your retail business out front during the holiday season.

Get a head start on inventory

Review your best sellers from last year and use your inventory management software to plan ahead and forecast your inventory needs. Strike a balance—ordering too much or too little inventory is a profit-killer.
To get the right mix of products, research what’s trending in your target market. Visit trade shows to see what products are being promoted; monitor the hot sellers on Amazon, eBay or Alibaba.com.
It’s also important to keep your merchandise fresh, so plan to order different products you can highlight every couple of weeks.
Focus on a mix of unique inventory that customers can’t get from big-box retailers or websites, as well as some popular items and small impulse buys you can use to get customers into your store.
Place orders early and stay in contact with suppliers. Know how soon you need to order, any extra fees for rush delivery and the like.
To hedge your bets in case one supplier is shut down by bad weather, order from multiple suppliers so you won’t get caught short.

Plan for marketing and advertising

Revie last year’s marketing and advertising plan. What worked and what didn’t? Create a marketing plan, calendar and budget based off that information.
Start by planning end-of-summer promotions to clear out stock and make room for holiday merchandise.
Next, plan marketing for key dates like Black Friday, Cyber Monday, Free Shipping Day and Super Saturday.
Online marketing is key, since shoppers go online to research products, compare prices and find stores. Capture consumers in these early stages with pay-per-click advertising and promoted social posts.
If you’re a brick-and-mortar retailer, update your local search directory listings using keywords shoppers are likely to use.
Your website needs some holiday spirit. Create gift guides. Plan to add a holiday design.
Can your website handle a surge in holiday traffic? Make any major changes to your site well in advance.
Email marketing is a key driver of holiday sales. Clean up your email lists; encourage customers to sign up for your emails; and plan your email campaigns adhead so you’re not trying to create them during the holiday rush!
Don’t forget real-world marketing. Brainstorm ideas for in-store events or charitable campaigns now so you can start building excitement.

Promotions and deals

More than four in 10 consumers say they can’t resist making a purchase when something is on sale. Use your sales forecasts to calculate what types of discounts you can offer without hurting your bottom line.
Incentivize shoppers with deals such as BOGO, flash sales or VIP sales offers.
Plan for post-holiday discounts. Last year, 68 percent of holiday shoppers and 80 percent of those aged 18-24 planned to keep shopping December 26-January 1, according to the NRF.

Get your systems ready

Review last year’s holiday data to see what days, dates, and hours of the day were busiest. This will help you plan and budget for staffing needs.
If you’ll need extra help, reach out to seasonal workers you hired last year to available.
Bigger companies start holiday hiring as early as August, so if you want the best workers, prepare your job listings and start putting out feelers now. Remember, allow time to train seasonal staff well before the holidays.
If you’re implementing new service offerings this season, such as “buy online, pick up in-store,” selling gift cards, or offering layaway, put the proper systems in place and work out any kinks now.

Get your groundwork done now, and you’ll boost your odds of “winning” the holiday shopping season.

About Rieva Lesonsky

Web: www.growbizmedia.com or Twitter: @Rieva

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Steve Strauss in General Business 2 weeks ago

Summer Travel Hack: Why You Need TSA Precheck and Global Entry for Business Travel

If you travel through airports at all, you really don’t need to be told how great TSA Precheck is. Either you have enviously seen the empty lanes as you interminably wait in your own long, security line, or you have Precheck and...

Summer Travel Hack: Why You Need TSA Precheck and Global Entry for Business Travel

If you travel through airports at all, you really don’t need to be told how great TSA Precheck is.

Either you have enviously seen the empty lanes as you interminably wait in your own long, security line, or you have Precheck and have waltzed through security yourself, wondering why everyone else hasn’t gotten with the (great) program yet.

If you’re someone whose small business requires travel for buying trips, trend scouting, trade shows, or just a good old-fashioned client pitch, Precheck could save you valuable time and cut down on travel headaches.

How great and popular is Precheck? Check out these stats from the Transportation Security Administration:

The average Precheck passenger spends less than five minutes in a security line

More than 7 million people are enrolled in Precheck

Precheck is offered in more than 200 airports and by 67 airlines

The Global Entry program is essentially the same thing, but for international travel – an expedited security process for those who pass the required security clearances.

How do you get into each, and what are the benefits? Let’s see.

TSA Precheck

Getting into the Precheck Program is a three-step process:

1. Apply online: Precheck costs $85 for a five-year membership. You begin the process by applying online.

2. Pass the background check: Needless to say, the point of Precheck is to give preference and advantages to low-risk flyers. As such, you will need to pass a background check that includes an in-person interviewand fingerprinting.

3. Get accepted and use your number: Once you pass the background check (between 30 to 60 days), you will be given a “Known Traveler Number.” Then, whenever you make a plane reservation, you enter that number and thereafter will have “TSA Precheck” on your boarding pass, both mobile and printed versions. Long lines be gone!

Here are two Precheck tricks you should know about:

1. Some credit card and other travel-related loyalty programs will pay for your Precheck application fee. You can find a list here.

2. If you have Precheck and are travelling with someone who is not a part of Precheck, it would behoove you to book them on the same reservation. This usually ensures that they will be given Precheck too on their boarding pass.

Global Entry

If you do any international travel, Global Entry is definitely something that should be on your radar (excuse the pun).

Global Entry provides travelers with the following perks:

TSA Precheck
Expedited customs screening when re-entering U.S. airports
Expedited customs screening when traveling by train or sea
The ability to use Global Entry kiosks when going through customs

The cost for the program is $100 for five years. So, for only an extra $15, you can apply for Global Entry and get all its advantages, as well as TSA Precheck, which is a pretty sweet deal.

The application process for Global Entry is equivalent to Precheck: Apply online and then attend an in-person interview at a Global Entry enrollment center.

Global Entry and TSA Precheck are altogether a better way to travel. Apply now and before you know it, you will be saving yourself wait times and airport stress, leaving more time to prepare for your business needs.

Bon voyage!

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Chris Brogan is an author, keynote speaker and business advisor. Chris advises leadership teams to empower team members by sharing actionable insights on talent development. He also works with marketing and communications teams to more effectively reach people who want to be seen and understood before they buy what a company sells.

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