How to Prepare for An Active Social Media Campaign

Before developing a social media campaign, design your company’s website and also establish your company’s email accounts. The company’s website should be visually appealing and also contain compelling content. A website solidifies the company’s brand image and also encourages customers to purchase products on the website.

Email accounts should be set up to field comments and other communication from customers. Communication with clients may give companies the opportunity to make a sale. Be prepared to answer a potential customer’s questions through a preferred method of communication. Engage your customers as often as possible to encourage them to purchase your company’s product without inundating them with too many status updates.

Type of Social Media Used for Business

Twitter

Twitter is popular for its succinct 140 character messages. This social media platform is interactive and provides customers with updates about the company’s industry or product. Many businesses use this forum to launch sweepstakes, give discounts or to give away free merchandise. Twitter may also be used as a customer service tool to answer questions about products in short succinct texts. Everyone benefits from the comments. The more responsive the company is with complaints and compliments, the more likely the following will remain loyal to the product.

Twitter is free to businesses. Most businesses prefer to pay and promote their account to target a certain audience. Many businesses may spend between $5,000 and $100,000 monthly to promote an account to a certain audience. According to some studies, Twitter is one of the most effective social media forums for business-to-business sales. Brevity is the key to success with Twitter.

Facebook

Facebook allows businesses to build their business based upon customers who “Like” their product or page. Information about the company’s product will show up on the customer’s news feeds. Customers remain updated about the company and feel connected. Customers who like a company’s news feeds are more likely to remain loyal members of the company. Advertisements may be purchased to help businesses promote their products. The costs of the advertisements will vary depending upon the complexity of the advertisement.

Facebook has the capability to provide access to multiple users who will act as administrators of the page. These employees are allowed to organize the site and facilitate online chats and discussions. Special analytics tools allow businesses to evaluate the activity on the website to improve targeted advertising efforts.

Businesses may use Facebook to offer discounts and free merchandise. Customers provide feedback on products to inform your business of areas that could use improvements. Employees may also share personal information about themselves through Facebook pages to provide a more human touch to the business.

Google +

Google+ is the latest addition to the business owner’s arsenal of social media applications. Google+ offers more flexibility because it allows business owners to create “Circles” and advertise only certain products to particular Circles. Businesses may create Circles with names such as Customers and Sales Leads.

Google+ page activity is directly connected to the Google’s search algorithm. This is a major benefit because the company’s search engine ranking position (SERP) will increase as the site gains more visibility and activity. Google+ is new and is slowly gaining momentum in the social media sphere.

LinkedIn

Business-to-business sales leads are often found by businesses on LinkedIn. Companies may identify key players within an organization with LinkedIn. This practice shortens the sales cycle when the decision makers are identified early in the process.

LinkedIn is the most limited social media site in terms of its ability to assist businesses. LinkedIn should be used in conjunction with other social media sites. A corporate email account is necessary prior to setting up a LinkedIn account.

Conclusion

Social media use in businesses can significantly improve sales, visibility and customer service. An improved brand image can significantly improve the company’s revenue. For a thriving business, incorporate social media to improve communications and brand image.

www.BizOffice.com is the web's leading resource website for small business and home business owners.

Credit or debit cards are used in 80 percent of retail purchases and almost all the business conducted over the Internet. Merchants must establish an account with a processing company in order to accept credit cards. Whether a business sells its goods online or in person, getting a merchant account is the first step toward increased sales.

Three common processing systems that most companies utilize include the following.

• Point of Sale (POS) Machines
• Online Payment Virtual Terminals
• Mobile Credit Apps

How to set up an account.

There are several steps involved in setting up an account. Companies must organize and meet any legal requirements. Some businesses must be licensed on a local, state or national level. Merchants must open a business account at a financial institution and organize a system to keep records. If a company plans to sell over the Internet, then it must establish a reliable connection.

Choose the best provider for the kind of business you plan to conduct. The decision should be easy based on the following criteria.

• If you have a physical location where goods are sold, then you will need a credit/debit card machine, also called a Point of Sale (POS) machine.
• If you plan to sell online, you will need a website to accept consumer orders and take payments through an online virtual terminal.
• If you travel to fairs, flea markets, festivals, and other venues to make sales, then you should choose Mobile Credit Card Apps.

POS credit card machines facilitate many services for merchants.

National providers offer the best options for projected growth. Your business will be able to get the hardware and software necessary to handle credit/debit card processing efficiently, personal check verification, and other services conducive to retail business. If you conduct business from stationary, mobile and online locations, then a national provider is the most effective solution.

National providers have predetermined rates for processing services of 1.6–2.2 percent of the amount charged. Comprehensive services may include mobile credit card swipers, smartphone applications, and online terminals. You will enjoy access to technical support 24/7.

Local providers offer a more personal approach. These include local banks where you may have your business account. The rates for processing tend to have greater flexibility. You can meet personally with processing personnel, and broken equipment can be replaced very quickly. Many local processors offer options for mobile and online credit card processing.

Online payment terminals allow access to Internet business.

More business is conducted online every day. An online presence allows companies to accept orders 24/7 and strengthens the bottom line. Many people conduct business exclusively through their online websites. Setting up an online account with PayPal, Google Checkout, or Amazon is very easy for small businesses. These providers are the most popular choices with online merchants.

PayPal

• PayPal charges 2.2–2.9 percent and $0.30 per transaction, but the rate decreases as sales volume increases.
• International transactions incur a 1-percent surcharge. Currency conversion costs 2.5 percent.
• Merchants and consumers enjoy encrypted SSL protection on all transactions.
• Non-profit organizations qualify for lower rates of 1.9–2.2 percent plus $0.30 per transaction.
• Customers enjoy 24/7 technical support, available 365 days a year.

Google Checkout

• Google Checkout charges 2.2–2.9 percent and $0.30 per transaction, but the rate decreases as sales volume increases.
• Merchants who sell inexpensive items under $10 can choose an optional fee structure of 5 percent plus $0.05 per transaction.
• Checkout is secure with SSL-encrypted protection.
• The virtual terminal can be customized to match your website.
• Customer support is only available by email.

Amazon Payments

• Amazon Payments charges 1.9–2.9 percent and $0.30 per transaction, but the rate decreases as sales volume increases.
• All transactions under $10 are charged 5 percent plus $0.05 automatically.
• International transactions incur a 1-percent surcharge.
• Customers enjoy 24/7 technical support, available 365 days a year.
• Merchants and consumers enjoy encrypted SSL protection on all transactions.

Mobile Applications

Merchants enjoy the ability to accept credit cards anywhere with smartphones, iPads and Android-enhanced mobile devices. Popular processing service providers include the following.

Intuit GoPayment

This processing service is available for Blackberry tablets and smartphones and Google Android.

• The credit card reader and software application are free.
• Swiped cards are charged 2.7 percent for each transaction. Keyed-in transactions cost 3.7 percent.
• Interactive order screens can be accessed through iPad and Android Apps.
• The application integrates seamlessly with QuickBooks software for record keeping.
• Intuit also offers online payment terminals.
• Merchants enjoy 24/7 technical support, available 365 days a year by phone. Merchants also enjoy email, chat, and an FAQ section to answer common questions.

Square

This processing service is available for Apple iOS and Google Android.

• The credit card reader and software application are free.
• Swiped cards are charged 2.7 percent for each transaction. Keyed-in transactions cost 3.5 percent plus an additional $0.15 for each transaction.
• Interactive order screens can be accessed through iPad Apps.
• Customer support is through email and FAQ only.

www.BizOffice.com is the web's leading resource website for small business and home business owners.

www.BizOffice.com is the web's leading resource website for small business and home business owners.

Ask some vital questions

www.BizOffice.com is the web's leading resource website for small business and home business owners.

You can achieve this kind of success on the Internet if you look at cyberspace as an extension of mail-order marketing. The Internet is an additional promotional tool for getting prospect leads and selling products.

Here are nine ways to succeed on the Internet without a web site. In each case, the goal is to direct people to your e-mail account to obtain more information.

1) Place classified ads (similar to print classifieds) in the commercial on-line services including America On line (keyword: classifieds), Compu Serve (Go classifieds) and Prodigy (Jump classifieds). Do you promote a specific product or service off line? Adver tise it with an online classified and have people contact you via e-mail for more information. Send sales info by return e-mail or regular mail.

2) Place classified ads in Web classified malls. Check out http://www.imall.com for an example. Do a search in a search engine for “classified malls” to locate others.

3) Use autoresponders. These are e-mail robots that automatically send information to the person that sent e-mail to the autoresponder. You will also receive a digest of the e-mail addresses and the messages sent to your autoresponder. Save this information for follow-up marketing. Visit http://www.netopp.com/JS-2528 for information on reliable autoresponders at great prices.

4) Use Internet Newsgroups to network and locate target customers. Offer items for FREE such as a catalog, report or article. Be careful of blatant advertising. You want to offer information of value to users. At the end of your FREE article or report, briefly tell people what you do and how to contact you for more information. Visit http://www.dejanews.com for information on over 15,000 news groups.

5) Advertise in e-mail newsletters and online mailing lists. Just like a magazine or newspaper, you can advertise in other people’s e-mail publications. This is a great way to reach your customers directly by e-mail. Visit http://www.liszt.com for information on thousands of e-mail lists. Send e-mail to ad rates@info back.net for advertising information in my e-mail newsletter.

6) Buy solicited e-mail lists. Similar to direct mail, you can send advertisements about your products directly to people’s e-mail accounts along with instructions on how to get more information. However, be careful about renting unsolicited e-mail lists. This can be very damaging to your business if used incorrectly. Visit http://www.postmasterdirect.com for information on solicited e-mail lists.

7) Build your own “house” customer e-mail list. Save the e-mail address of anybody that contacts you via e-mail. These people are good prospects to contact for follow-up marketing. They’ve already shown an interest in your business. When sending follow-up marketing messages by e-mail you incur no costs for postage or printing. Great! Integrate your e-mail list-building with all forms of marketing, both on and offline.

Get FREE publicity online with press releases and articles you have written. At the end of an article, offer something FREE to readers via e-mail. Visit http://www.gebbieinc.com/presto.htm for information on blasting press releases online.

9) Host online Forums. On America OnLine and CompuServe there are numerous forums covering almost every topic. Contact the administrators of these and propose to be a guest expert for a future forum. This establishes you as an expert. People who participate in the forum might contact you about doing business.

By putting these ideas to work, you can build your business on the Internet with only an e-mail account.

www.BizOffice.com is the web's leading resource website for small business and home business owners.

During periods of economic decline, whether widespread or cyclical for a particular type of business, entrepreneurs are most likely to bear the brunt. Yet the fact that conditions are changing opens up opportunities for resourceful firms to outsmart larger competitors who, during a downturn, carry on business as usual or are unable to adapt quickly — except to fire employees. Such innovative small firms can:

• Gain market share by taking it away from competitors unable to adjust to shifting market conditions.
• Maintain a strong cash stream throughout the downturn, in contrast to other companies that may have liquidity problems.
• Become a leaner, more cost-effective and more efficient operation, better positioned to do well when the market improves.

The challenge is to be aggressive and imaginative. Entrepreneurs who survive and even prosper during hard times must be able to look beyond the present, to overcome the constraints of tradition, to see the firm from a new perspective, and to do business differently.

Here are 14 specific recommendations for small business owners and managers to follow during economic upheavals:

1. Watch your inventories carefully, but don’t hold them down so tight that you’ll lose sales. Typically during a slowdown, there is an imbalance between slumping retail sales and bloated inventories — don’t be saddled with leftover merchandise that ties up your cash flow.One possibility is converting inventories into cash. If your business traditionally stocks 250 units of each of its slowest-moving products, consider cutting that number to 100 each. Monitor the results, keeping an eye out for those products that can tolerate even leaner inventories or that should be eliminated from your stock. This way if sales nosedive, less of your cash is locked into unproductive assets.
2. Taking that point further, monitor your cash flow very diligently, and forecast it monthly to ensure that expenses and planned expenditures are in line with accounts receivable. Make sure your financial statements provide information that is timely, relevant and accurate. Cash flow statements are superior in this regard to income statements and balance sheets. Be able to project where you will stand three months in advance.Negotiate with suppliers, contractors and landlords for better prices or shortterm reductions, and even consider trading goods and services on a barter exchange for credits instead of for cash. Take advantage of supplier discounts for prompt payment, and don’t pay checks for no-discount bills before they’re due.If the cash bind has already surfaced, talk to creditors before the bills are past due to persuade them to extend payments of your current bills. Your chances of getting their cooperation will lessen if you wait until they send collection memos. Keep in mind that suppliers’ credit managers will be more receptive if your payment history is a solid one, and you can assure them future bills will be paid on time.
3. Separate the “nice to do” from the “have to do,” and eliminate nonessential expenses as much as possible. Ask yourself, is that activity necessary? If not, don’t do it. Also consider cutting personal spending. Simple solutions such as brown bag lunches and car pooling can make a difference.
4. Reduce or stretch out debt, and build up your capital reserves. Watch the creditworthiness of your customers, even bread and butter accounts. Remaining close to existing customers, and checking to see how they are getting on during the economic downturn, not only helps avoid unpleasant surprises but could also lead to new opportunities.Besides, when sales are sluggish, keeping in touch with customers (always a sound business practice) becomes vital to head off eager competitors. If appropriate, encourage sales people to call on every customer on a regular basis, and set aside some of your own time to do the same. Frequent faceto-face meetings with your client base provides an excellent opportunity — probably your only one — to pacify disgruntled customers and win back lost ones.Try to lock up long-term contracts with your most important customers at anything approaching acceptable terms. Offer prepayment incentives, for example, and discounts on long-term buys.
5. Get aggressive with collections. According to the partner of a consulting firm, “when business is good, companies tend to become lazy about collecting on receivables. This can prove dangerous in a recession.” Assume that the average collection period for your industry is 45 days, but your company is at 51 days. After bringing that collection period down to the industry average, keep working to get it down to 40 days. Being tough with customers may be unpleasant, but it’s an important safeguard against the effects of a prolonged economic slowdown.
6. In a related vein, look hard at capital spending. Consider delaying both the purchase of high ticket items and expansion plans that take a long time to pay off. At the same time, make sure you have enough capacity to start filling orders again when the economy stabilizes.
7. Strengthen your banking relationships, which includes letting lenders know the company’s financial position. Banks are looking for business to boost their income, but are also trying to minimize risk, so they are careful about what kind of loans they undertake. Most experts agree, however, that seeking additional credit during a recession is not advisable.
8. Look for opportunities to reduce rented space. If, similar to many companies, you acquired space in anticipation of staff expansion that ultimately proved unnecessary, this may be a good time to sublet that space — thus reducing overhead and generating extra income.With this in mind, commit yourself to subleasing a set percentage of your company’s space. By consolidating operations and removing unused equipment, you may find that much of the space you thought you had to have was simply draining the bottom line.
9. Now is the time to be prudently aggressive in the marketplace. Actively seek out new business, and perhaps add a salesperson or two or an extra service to give you an edge over competition.
10. Similarly, don’t skimp on service and quality by being understaffed. Options include freelancers, consultants and part-time employees. One advantage of a slowdown is that hiring gets easier because there are more candidates from which to choose due to layoffs and other cutbacks.
11. In strategizing how to build your customer base and induce current customers to raise revenues, the importance of good service cannot be overstressed — especially as their buying power or willingness to spend is lessened during tough economic times. Studies show that perception of service is fixed primarily in terms of time in a customer’s mind. Three examples are: waiting time to obtain service; reaction time to deliver service; and length of time of the service. In banks or stores, or phoning in orders or for information, prospective customers will walk out or hang up if their time perception is strained.According to management consultant Donald Blumberg, author of Managing Service as a Strategic Profit Center, customers will temper their time demands when they see store employees busy helping other customers. But they will not be so tolerant when clerks are chatting with one another or on the phone while waiting customers are ignored. An informal, friendly attitude by owner-managers is key to a happy workplace, with emphasis clearly placed on the important role all employees play in meeting customer needs for attentive, timely service.
12. Historically, many businesses reduce advertising and promotional expenditures rather than slash fixed costs during hard times. However, studies have shown that those maintaining or increasing ad outlays during slowdowns wind up outselling rivals who cut back.Savvy marketers can boost sales and market share, even if the industry in which they compete is in a slump, by focusing on short-term tactical techniques such as sales and price promotions (including cents-off coupons and rebates), and tailoring advertising in response to the shaky economic climate.Survival guidelines include:
    • Monitor your competitors’ advertising. If they’re cutting down, seriously consider increasing your ad budget and hitting harder. This will provide a great opportunity to capture — and retain — a larger share of the market.
    • Avoid gimmicky and clever advertising. Center your message on the benefits and advantages of your product or service — such as convenience or energy efficiency — rather than making emotional appeals.
    • Use direct-response advertising techniques. Use hard-hitting copy with simple but convincing language, a special offer the prospect will find hard to pass up, and a strong call to action.
    • Avoid ads that look like ads. Make them appear to be vital messages to the consumer offering them the most for their money.
    • Stress quality and durability. Consumers are looking for as much value as possible in a weak economy. But don’t actually use the words “quality” and durability,” as they have degenerated into advertising cliches. Show, don’t tell.
    • Study advertising research thoroughly. Know which page positions pull best, which copy factors work effectively, which colors do the job, and so on. Spend every ad dollar carefully.
    • Re-examine your marketing mix to ensure it is the most cost effective.
    • Keep in mind that perceptions play a major role in a week economy. If people believe money is going to be tight, they will behave as if it is — even if they have money to spend. Your ads have to convince prospective customers that your product or service is a wise investment.
13. Another mistake during recessionary times is to reduce training budgets. Training can best be conducted during slack periods -especially low-cost, on-the-job instruction and broadened skill acquisition. Also, local community colleges offer a number of free classes that teach and upgrade trade and office skills and supervision techniques.
14. Get employees involved in policy choices as well as tactics and implementation — asking, for example, if costs can be cut 15 percent without layoffs. If layoffs or a significant reduction in work hours are unavoidable, let employees take a lead role in designing the program. Shortened hours, job reassignments, job sharing and other alternatives may surface.Meet with staff regularly to exchange ideas on boosting productivity and other issues. Create an incentive for good suggestions, and foster a team spirit for survival.Remember that employees need to feel they are important to your company, and that their work is challenging them up to their full capabilities. “Do what I tell you” management styles need to be replaced, because small businesses whose owner or managers are “the whole show” can definitely benefit by encouraging workers on all levels to contribute their expertise instead of just following orders. This is especially true during lean times when challenges to business success are greatest.

While economic downturns are admittedly difficult, and increase the obstacles small businesses face in trying to survive and grow, it is not axiomatic that companies have to slash earnings and compress market share. That recourse befalls firms that take too long to realize what must be done, or which resist change. Resourceful entrepreneurs capture the available opportunities, and take steps during today’s hard times to lay the groundwork for tomorrow’s prosperity.

www.BizOffice.com is the web's leading resource website for small business and home business owners.

The federal tax laws allow home based business owners to hire their children and pay them a wage. Not only is the wage deductible, but the first $4,000 that the kids earn is tax free using the standard deduction on their tax return. If you haven’t started using this strategy, begin immediately.

And if you are already employing your kids, but haven’t reached the $4,000 cap, give them a bonus before the end of the year.

Another benefit of employing your children who are under 18, is there is no Social Security or Federal Employ ment tax on them.

A second strategy to execute before the end of the year is to pre-pay by credit card as many business expenses as possible. These might include postage, equipment maintenance contracts, supplies and various on-going services. By using a credit card, you get the tax benefit this year but won’t have to make the payment until probably February.

The same credit card strategy can be used for personal deductions, such as charitable and religious donations. If you can, make donations for the entire upcoming year. Do it before Dec. 31 of this year, and put it on your credit card. That way you can deduct it on your taxes and you’ll get a month or six weeks before the credit card payment comes due.

Employers should make sure they set up their pension plans before December 31.

www.BizOffice.com is the web's leading resource website for small business and home business owners.

• finding an assistant to perform some of the administrative tasks, which will allow you to devote your attention to the products and services you provide,
• hiring someone so that the business will function at times when you can’t be physically present, and
• bringing in someone with a crucial skill set as you expand your business.

What you should know

Before you add to your staff, take the time to write a job description that lists the responsibilities and defines the role of each position. In addition, remember to ask job applicants for references, and run criminal background and credit checks on them. At the same time compile all of the documents required for hiring employees to avoid delays.

Note that while working with a staffing agency or recruiter to find qualified employees are valid options, they are also rather expensive for the typical small-business owner. Fortunately, there are some other alternatives to consider that are easy to use and inexpensive as well.

What you can do

Traditional job boards, which are still quite popular, will give you access to a wide range of job candidates with the skills you are looking for. They include both large, general job boards and special niche websites devoted to various industries, such as social work, insurance, engineering and education. In addition, some of them are meant to be used for hiring full-time employees, and others will serve the purpose if you are looking for independent contractors of part-time workers.
Indeed and Craigslist are two job boards you should definitely consider when hiring full-time employees, and they are both relatively inexpensive.

With Craigslist, you will spend approximately $25 to list one job in a single category, and if you want to reach more candidates, avoid using more than 2 or 3 categories. In this case, the most recent posts are placed at the top of
every page, which might require you to repost your listing more than once for the sake of visibility.
Indeed charges for job listings on a “pay per click” basis, and you will be charged whenever someone reads you post. (Clicks cost anywhere from $0.25 to $1.50.) With this in mind, you will want to monitor the jobs you post and remember to remove them when you have a sufficient number of responses. Otherwise, recruitment costs may become uncontrollable.

Universities and colleges are good sources for filling intern and entry-level positions. Most educational institutions are eager to assist their students in finding a full-time job after graduation, and as a rule, posting an opening on this kind of job board is either free or inexpensive.

If you decide to take this route, you will be able to specify the major, department or degree level the job calls for. Before listing a job opening, get in touch with a university or college near you to find out more about what the entire process involves.

www.BizOffice.com is the web's leading resource website for small business and home business owners.

What to Expect from a Business Phone System?

Business owners will have one phone number with multiple lines linked to one phone number. With this system, the caller may dial a single number, and the attendant will transfer the caller to the appropriate employee within the system. Cell phones may also be tied to a business system. Business owners will have access to features such as call transfer, call forwarding and call holding. These features, coupled with advanced routing features, increase the efficiency of the business.

How to Set Up a Business Phone System

1. Consider the Cost of a Business Phone System.

Business phone systems can be set up for a low as $10 per month with voice over Internet protocol (VoIP). These business systems are affordable despite what some business owners may think. Before selecting a business phone system, evaluate the current usage of your business. Once determined, select the monthly plan the company needs to operate effectively. Research can help clients negotiate a low cost for a monthly plan.

Traditional phone services such as AT&T or Verizon are often more costly than VoIP services. Start ups often do not have the capital to set up this type of service initially. Experts recommend VoIP services for an affordable and reliable system. A typical VoIP service may incur a monthly charge of $40 per user for three users or less. As the number of users increase, the price decreases. For instance, 20 or more users may cost $25 per user each month. Some services are more and some are less. Perform some research to find the most affordable service.

2. Determine the Number of Lines and Extensions Required.

The number of employees in a business will provide a gauge for the number of extensions required in a business. The extensions may connect to any mobile device or land line in the office. Existing phone lines may be adequate to accommodate the needs of the office.

3. Determine the Type of Business Phone System Required to Meet Your Company’s Needs.

There are two types of business phone systems most businesses select. Most businesses prefer the VoIP system. Both the business VoIP system and the virtual PBX system will require an Internet connection. A convenient online interface may be used to manage a virtual PBX call routing system. The business VoIP system will only use the Internet connection to make phone calls.

If your business does not already have the hardware required for a business phone system, select a package that includes hardware, call routing software and extensions. The business phone number should also be included. Business VoIP phone systems are often ready for operation directly out of the box. This is convenient for small businesses with restrictive budgets.

Virtual PBX may be connected directly to an existing Internet connection. These systems are typically operational immediately. The preconfigured phones will be mailed to the business site by the company of choice. Other than the Internet connection and the phones, no additional hardware is required.

Many VoIP services will allow clients to try the service for 30 days. Most of these businesses do not require long term contracts. Business owners, who are not satisfied, may cancel their service at any time. Select a company with minimal interruptions. Interruptions are the most common complaints from VoIP users.

Conclusion

Consider VoIP for your small business. The service is flexible, scalable and affordable. Most small business owners appreciate VoIP solutions to facilitate communication. Locate your favorite VoIP provider and set up your service today.

www.BizOffice.com is the web's leading resource website for small business and home business owners.

JOB CREATION:

• This growing segment of the economy has provided 15.5 million jobs, employing 35 percent more people in the U.S. than Fortune 500 companies worldwide.
• 38 percent of all small businesses are owned by women, with approximately 7.7 million women-owned business in this country.
• Women-owned businesses have staying power: more than 40 percent have been in business for 12 years or more.
• 70 percent of women business owners are financing their business with their credit cards and personal resources. Women business owners are 3 times as likely as other businesses to use credit cards for short-term financing.
• Employment growth in women owned firms exceeds the national average by a substantial margin. 2001 – 2004 employment grew by 11.5 percent among commercially active women-owned firms in the U.S. compared to 5.4 percent among all firms. According to National Foundation for Women Business Owners and Dun & Bradstreet Information Services, employment growth in women-owned firms exceeds the national average in nearly every region in the country and in nearly every major industry.

BIG MARKET:

• 46 percent of women between the ages of 35 – 55 want to become business owners.
• 64 percent of women between ages 18 – 34 want to become business owners.

www.BizOffice.com is the web's leading resource website for small business and home business owners.