Knowledge can boost your confidence.
When it comes to
building your business, you need to know what to do, how to do it right, and who can help get it done. We have carefully selected information, publications, web links and business affiliates whose products and services can enhance your
marketing know-how.
Where do you start?
Learn from experts and save time, effort and money.
Take advantage of Free Knowledge, but also invest in your success. Get the best
you can afford when you need extra talent and technology on your side.
(Remember, business expenses are tax deductible.)
Free Knowledge – practical, proven wisdom at no charge
Business-Building Resources – increase your marketing
ability
Internet Business – how to do business on the
web
For Consultants – follow the lead
of some of the best in the business
Marketing Services – vendors that can help you get things done
Printing – professional quality at affordable prices
Web
Favorites – web sites with information, tools and services that really work for a small business
Our recommendations are based solely on the quality and value of the products and services listed. And our affiliate relationships are always clearly indicated. We also welcome your feedback. Please email your comments.
Free Knowledge
FREE
Marketing Mindset Newsletter
Get knowledge and tools to confidently attract more customers. Delivered via email whenever there’s valuable information to share.
Click here to subscribe FREE | Click here to read articles
FREE Marketing Plan Workbook for Solo Professionals
Robert Middleton provides a template for individuals who want to build a business based on what they know. Click here to get your free Marketing Plan Workbook
FREE
Doing Business Online Teleclasses
Learn how to get started in your online business or how to make more money with your web site. Practice Pay Solutions offers free teleclasses about accepting credit card, generating income from an e-commerce web site and more. To register, look for the link to currently scheduled teleclasses.
Click here to find free teleclasses.
FREE
Online Media Production Tutorial
Avekta Productions offers a self-paced course for the average businessperson who needs to produce a website, video, or print project.
Click here to view the free media production tutorial.
Back to
Top
Business-Building Resources
 How to
Win Customers and Keep Them for Life
by Michael LeBoeuf, Ph.D.
This is the book to read at least once every year to remind you what really counts
with customers. First published in 1988, LeBoeuf explains business principles
that will never stop being applicable because they are based on human nature. Click link below to buy on Amazon.com.
Buy Softcover Book
Buy AudioBook
Info Guru Marketing
by Robert Middleton
Are you a solo consultant, trainer, accountant, designer, copywriter or provide some type of business or
personal service? Robert Middleton distills 17+ years of hands-on learning about
what works and what does not work to attract clients into a comprehensive manual
for Independent Professionals. He describes how to create your marketing
message, package and promote your services, and ultimately persuade prospects to
hire you. Learn more about Info Guru Marketing. AFFILIATE
 Nonstop Networking
by Andrea Nierenberg
Networking can be an extremely effective marketing strategy for a small enterprise. As a small business owner, you can build long-term business relationships with a real human connection. The big guys can't do this as well. Andrea Nierenberg tells you how to use networking to your advantage. Click on link below to buy on Amazon.com.
Buy Nonstop Networking.
Back
to Top
Internet Business
Get ready! Setting up an e-commerce web site is not for the faint of heart. You will need to understand the basics––some
technical stuff and some good old-fashioned business practices. And give yourself at least 10 weeks to put it all together (no kidding)!
Learn from the best in the industry. The Internet Marketing Center produces the most comprehensive course and reference manual on Internet marketing that we have found.
Insider Secrets to Marketing Your Business On the Internet
Insider Secrets to Marketing Your Business On the Internet shows you step-by-step the most efficient and fastest ways to make money on the Internet. Real people - like you - have used their tested and proven methods to turned a few dollars into millions. You will get many times the return on your investment in these materials. Explanations, instructions, tips, tricks and techniques are presented in clear, simple language. Includes everything you need to know to start an online business, plus advanced techniques to power charge an existing web site. Take a 100% RISK-FREE test-drive.
You will save time, money and hours of frustration. What's more, Insider Secrets to Marketing Your Business On the Internet comes with a money-back guarantee.
Click here for all the details. AFFILIATE
Web Hosting - You cannot have a web site without a web
host. (If you’re not sure what a web host does, you need to learn the basics.
See below for resources for total novices.) Basic hosting packages from reputable companies start at less than $10/month. Stay away from start-ups and relatives who offer prices that sound too good to be true.
Our recommendations:
Fastwebserver.com is based in Canada and focused entirely on serving
solo owners and small businesses.
Interland.com, one of the largest web
hosting companies in the U.S., also offers small business packages, but has less
personal service.
Merchant Account and Shopping Cart - If you plan to sell anything from a web site, you’ll need to provide a way for customers to pay. That means accepting credit cards, which requires a Merchant Account. There are scores of vendors that can get you set up, including your own bank. If you plan to have more than one item for sale, you’ll also need a shopping cart.
Practice Pay Solutions delivers
personalized, convenient, and affordable credit card, electronic check, and
e-commerce processing solutions all from one vendor. Practice Pay Solutions is
dedicated to serving the very small business, individuals in consulting,
coaching, training, authors, speakers, etc. Click here to learn more about their e-commerce services and free teleclasses. AFFILIATE
For Total Novices! If you don't quite understand how the Internet works, start at the very beginning. Consider taking a course on how email, web sites and Internet search engines work. Try your local community college or library. A user-friendly online overview can be found at How Stuff Works.
Back to Top
For Consultants
Info Guru Marketing
by Robert Middleton
Do you want to build a consulting or personal service business around your expertise? Robert Middleton will show you how to be more successful by thinking and acting like an Info Guru. This comprehensive manual for Independent
Professionals tells you step-by-step how to create your marketing message,
package and promote your services and persuade prospects to hire
hire you for your expertise. Get details on Info Guru Marketing. AFFILIATE
Manuals by Howard L. Shenson
Master consultant and prolific writer, the late Howard Shenson was a recognized authority on building a successful consulting business. His booklets are inexpensive ($4.00- $5.00) and exceptional at laying out why and how to build your practice.
Recommended Reading:
How to Get More & Better Referrals: 73 Proven Strategies
101 Proven Strategies for Building a Successful
Practice
Available online at 4Expertise. AFFILIATE
Back to Top
Marketing Services
Want a professional presentation on paper, on the web, on video or at your business event? The resources listed in this section will help you make the most of your time and budget.
Video & Multi-Media
Avekta Productions, Inc.
Video,
CD-DVD, web sites, animation, even media training in English and all foreign
languages. They know their stuff, and they are great to work with.
George Avgerakis,
VP-Creative Director | tel 212-308-8000 ext. 22 (New York)
Publicity
Distribute your press release to the targeted media channel(s) of your
choice including top daily and national newspapers, top industry and segment
publications, TV, Radio, and top online news sources. Services start at
$325 at Press-Release-Writing.com .
Printing
Please, no more flimsy business cards,
mailers and sales materials! Recommended vendors offer affordable, quality,
full-color printing. Use a graphic designer or production professional if you
are not sure or are unable to produce the type of files the printer
requires.
AMC ColorGrafix – Great prices and great quality for postcards, brochures,
sales sheets and catalogs when you need quantities of 2,500 or more. For
example, 2,500 full-color, tri-fold brochures cost about $465, plus shipping.
You must supply your own design via electronic files. Call for quote. | tel 877-575-1788 (California) | www.amc-color.com
Postcard Press – In addition to postcards,
this company also prints business cards and mailers and offers mailing services.
You supply your own design via electronic files. Get 500 postcards printed for
$95 plus shipping. Visit the web site for pricing or call for a quote. | tel 800-957-5787 (California) | www.postcardpress.com
VistaPrint –There is NO reason not to have a professional business card.
VistaPrint offers more than 300 great styles, with full color on thick 100# paper stock . You can actually get free business cards for the price of shipping and
handling. Free cards are the same quality, but there are only 30 styles to
choose from, and there will be an ad for vistaprint.com printed on the back of
every card. Visit VistaPrint.com
Back
to Top
Web Favorites
BizStats - Instant access to useful business statistics for
business planning or benchmarking your business. For example, you can quickly
find data such as: how much the average small business owner keeps from each
dollar of revenue; which businesses have the best (and worst) chances of
success; the total number of U.S. businesses, even the average annual sales by
store for a retailers by industry.
Inc. Magazine – One of the best general business magazines. Many articles are available online at
www.Inc.com. Search for a specific topic or consult special online guides,
such as Starting A Business, Running a One-Person Business, Law and Taxation,
Buying A Business Or Franchise, and many others.
Trade
& Industry Publications - Identify, subscribe to, and read the most
important publication for your specific industry. Find publications at NewsDirectory.com.
Back to Top
|
