Lifeworks - Success on a Shoestring

SUCCESS ON A SHOESTRING - ARCHIVES

Use brains, not bucks and creativity not cash to grow your business.

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SOS TIPS: REGROUP, RESTORE & RENEW

1.Volunteer to be a speaker at local civics groups or for non-profits. They always need speakers and it is good, free PR for you and establishes you as a expert....and you never know who is in the audience.

2. Record your presentation and use it as a download, a podcast or report. Be sure to send around a list for people to sign up for your email list. When you get back to the office, send them a thank you email.

3. Donate your expertise, a product or service to a local charity auction. Often you will get visibility and a way to connect with a new audience. Ask to be mentioned in their newsletter & be sure to be introduced at their event. You will get lots of kudos and feel like a hero. (Recently I did this and was able to give out promo info for 100 people & got a free lunch besides)

4. Take the time to reconnect with previous clients and see how they are doing. Offer them a discount for purchases or referrals. We all love to be remembered.
(You can send great e-cards thru Jacquie Lawson Cards)

5.Schedule coffee with collogues to just reconnect and brainstorm some possible collaboration projects. It is personally supportive as well as energizing.
(This has been fun for me and resulted great support & 2 possible projects)

6.Take some time to relish the beauty of Spring...it is a great free gift to us, no matter what else is going on in our lives.

SOS TIPS: WAYS TO KEEP GOING IN TURBULENT TIMES

Now is a good time to review your past year and plan for a great new one. Use these tips to help you get started.

For a Change, you answer the questions and create the information that works for you.

1.Take some time to analyze your business from last year. Ask yourself these questions and see what you find out. You may be surprised.

-What product or service made the most money last year?
-What product brought in the most new or repeat business?
-What was the most interesting or fun thing you did for your business?
-What did you do that was the most satisfying....Why?
-What was the easiest? Why?
-What did you do that made you grow some new skills?
-What did you do that was the best expression of your gifts/talents?

2. Ask some of these questions to your customers, employees, or friends. Make up your own questions & do a mini- survey.

3. After you get some answers, look for trends or common themes. Use these to make your plans for 2009

4.Remind yourself that 2009 will be really Fine!

SOS TIPS: PLAN AHEAD TO THRIVE IN A CRISIS

REMEMBER THAT SOMEONE IS GOING TO DO WELL IN A DOWNTURN.. IT MIGHT AS WELL BE YOU!

1. It is a good time to relook at your business and see where you can refocus or repackage your services/products to be attractive in the current situation. Who might need you if you modified what you do to what is needed now? (Just looking at the advertisers in Lifelines, I could see how they could refocus their services to fit needs today. Call me an I'll share that with you )

2. Repairing, refurbishing and redoing almost anything are all going to be in demand as people are keeping what they have but need it to work well or look good. See how you can offer to do that in your business (Teaching others these skills is valuable too)

3. Consider taking a temporary or part-time job; this can help with money as well as structure & socialization. And it can buy some time to keep your business going even if it is at a slower pace. (As long as it is honest work, there is no shame in this and it may give you some sanity)

4. Brainstorm what you could do for holidays to keep cash flowing with skills you have. Could you make Halloween costumes, do shopping for someone, make holiday goodies, hang lights, etc.? ( You may not get wealthy with these but you may find a another income stream you can expand and it also helps to take action).

5.Begin to think of what you will give your customers as a holiday gifts. You may want to consider something you create or something you grow. Staring now will give you time to do to before the rush. (I grow narcissus bulbs in inexpensive pots & they are always a great gift)

SOS TIPS: TAKING A VACATION WITHOUT WORRY

Many "solo- preneurs" are challenged with the need to take time off but still want to continue to serve their customers.

Of course, technology allows you to keep doing business electronically but that's no vacation!

1.Find virtual assistant (an administrative person who works via computer) by asking colleagues or checking out the International Association of Virtual Assistants: www.ivaa.org .They can do a multitude of tasks and charge by the hour.
(I rely on my assistants * regularly but they really save my sanity when I am away)

2. If you don't have an assistant, find a trusted friend who will check email & phone for you and notify you if you are needed. (This way I don't have to check in hourly & be "professional" but can have that drink with the umbrella on it & still be sure someone else is "minding the store)

3. Notify regular clients/customers well in advance of when you will be away & assure them that your assistant can reach you if needed. ( I have found that the reassurance that I am reachable is the most important part but they seldom use it )

4. Put a message on your voice mail that you are away but that they can reach you by calling your assistant. She will have your contact info & can determine if you are needed. (Again, I can relax - see comment under #2)

5. Have post office hold mail & then deliver when you specify: www.uspostoffice.com (This feels much more secure than a regular mailbox & I like that it will be waiting on me when I get home)

6. Be sure to unplug your computer while you are gone. Just turning it off even if plugged into power strip can't save it from lightening.( I have 2 friends who learned this the hard way)

SOS TIPS: MONEY DRIPS - HOW TO PLUG LEAKS

Drip, Drip Drip...Are you Leaking Money? SOS Tips Can Be Your Plumber...

Just like a drip on a faucet, small leaks in your overhead can accumulate into lots of money lost over time. With prices climbing, now is the time to analyze your bills and see where you can can save. We often buy services that we only use occasionally but pay for them regularly. As Grandma said, " A penny saved is. over time, another gallon of gas".

1. List all of your overhead expenses for the last few months and see which ones really support/grow your business. Which are necessary and which are nice to have or just a little convenient? Where are the drips? (Pretend you are in "cubicle land " and you have been ordered to cut the budget but not the quality- what needs to be really looked at?)

2. Phone bills, especially cells, usually have lots of "leaks. "Do you really use all those minutes? Average your usage over last few months and see what you really need. Even if you go over the limit occasionally, it is cheaper than paying for time you don't use regularly. Shop for a cheaper plan @ www.lowermybills ( How many of us really need thousands of minutes? Who has time to talk that much or has that much to say? )

3. If your business has certain times when you use the phone a lot, consider getting a prepaid cell to be used then. Costs more per call but you are not paying all year for the occasional "busy season". (Also comes in handy when you misplace your regular cell phone)

4. Phone service packages with caller i.d., call waiting, etc. may be giving you services that don't add to your bottom line. You can pick the one or two you really need for much less. (Does anyone really like to be the "call that is waiting " while you take another, more important call? I'd much rather leave a message in voicemail.)

5. Put all your electric/electronic devices on power strips. Just click off strip at night and weekends; can save you money and may also protect from power surges. (Unplugging your computer completely is a good idea in season of storms as lightening can fry your computer even when plugged in power strips)

6. Start now to plan for summer vacation by hiring & training a virtual assistant or college student to cover for you while you are gone; put all your bills on autopay. (Put help wanted ad in local community college career center or contact my wonderful virtual assistant Jackie MacVean: macveanj@bellsouth.net)

SOS TIPS: 5 MINUTES FIXES

Need A Fix? Try These 5 Minute Fixes -They can Help

1. Try the "5 Minute Fix" . Next time you have a few minutes between projects or just need a change of pace, take 5 minutes to do a quick chore like filing a few things, wiping off your computer or some of the "5 Minute Fixes" in this list. (I'm amazed at how much I can do in 5 minutes. I usually think I need lots of time to do things and since I don't have it, don't start. Taking a few minutes can help & it is not overwhelming.)

2. Next time you are "on hold" & in front of your computer, scroll down and delete old emails that you don't want. We always put this off and it needs to be done periodically. (Besides, it helps to pass the time in those endless "your business is so important to us " waiting times)

3. Go to www.Catalogchoice.com and delete all those catalogs you ordered from over holidays and now fill up your mailbox. ( Fun to look at but if I don't see it, I won't buy it! Besides, it will save a tree & the mail carrier's back)

4. Get off most junk mailing lists by getting forms from www.stopthejunkmail.com.If you still get some junk, throw it & other paper right into your recycle bin. (I stand over my office trash can & dump unwanted mail/envelopes into this can. I only use this can only for paper to be recycled so then I can just take whole trash can to curb)

5. Call 1-888-567.8688 to remove your name from lists sold to credit cards or insurance offers. Be sure to shred any offers you get. If you don't get these, it will help deter identity thief. ( I wish I was as popular with people sending me money as those who want mine!)

SOS TIPS: ORGANIZING YOUR "STUFF"

1. Check out great info from June Walker, Tax Consultant for Self- Employed people (www.junewalkeronline.com ) to find out how to set up your expense categories. Be sure to download her "Indie Business Expense List" and read her articles on creative ways to count your business expenses. (I set up mine using her advice last year & my accountant reduced my fee because it was so easy for her!)

2. Put your 2007 files in a handy box. Old files are then out of your way but accessible & you don't get them confused with 2008 files. Then set up your 2008 files with colored folders to make a fun and easy system to remember. You could use green files for money matters, red for urgent info, etc. ...whatever would help you remember. (Colored files are so much easier to find, especially with old/tired eyes...and it is much more fun than manila.)

3. Put your businesses/home receipts in different colored small envelopes (plastic works well) & keep envelopes in your purse, briefcase or car. Easy to see and easy to keep up with. (This tip shared by Tamela Rich, blogger of Georgian Knot; http://tamelarich.com)

4. Purchase a inexpensive calendar and plot out your marketing events such as newsletters, presentations and sales promotions for the year. Be sure to allow plenty of time. Decide when you want to begin the promotion, and when you need to start getting ready for it. If you're working with outside vendors be sure to allow extra time for those things that might be delayed...and usually are. (I did not do this and scheduled 2 promotions within a week with no time to prepare. Not successful & very stressful.)

5. Schedule a clean up day for your office. Plan something easy to eat & some music to listen to. Also a good time to listen to all those podcasts that you subscribed to & are sitting your email inbox. A great time to do this is a cold winter day. (This clean up day is guaranteed to leave you feeling organized, satisfied, guilt-free....and a little smug.)

SOS TIPS: HASSLE FREE HOLIDAYS

Holidays gifts for clients & customers can really drain your time and your budget so this special edition of SOS will help you save on both...and create memorable gifts for your clients.

Since most of us have too much "stuff" these suggestions will focus on gifts of time and services. In addition, you may support other entrepreneurs as you make your purchases. Most small businesses or not- for- profits will be happy to work with you to create gifts to fit your time and budget.

1.Use an "assembly line" to create ready-to-use dry mixes such as cookies, multi-bean soups, or muffins and package in attractive containers from art or dollar stores. These are great time savers and easy to create.

2. Plant paper-white narcissus bulbs in pebbles in pots, water weekly and put in window. They will bloom in Jan. and be a fragrant gift during the winter.

3. Gifts certificates for your time/ expertise are always welcome can be a way to let clients get to know you. Consider giving a sample of your products or a short amount of your time.

4. "Happy New Year" gifts given in January gifts may more noticed and appreciated and a good way to reconnect after the rush of the holidays.

5. Buy signed books from local authors and get inspired by their talent:

�"The Little Pink Book of Feminine Leadership" by Angelina Corbet: www.feminineleadership.com

�"Stand Out When You Stand Up" by Barbara Busey (now offering a discount):

www.presentationdynamics.net

�"Shuffletown" by Judy Rozzelle:

www.shuffletownusa.com

� "In the Belly of The Beast" by Lyndall Hare: www.cpccservicecorp.com

6. Give a percentage "off" on your client's bill or order with a thank you holiday note. Many will appreciate money more than a present.

7.Give a donation in the clients name to a favorite charity, especially if you know of your clients interests. Often a magazine/newsletter also will be sent & your client is reminded of you all year.

8. Consider a donation where client can "adopt" an animal or land. Reuse/rehab groups or environmental organizations will often send client a picture or certificate and progress reports.

Have a great holiday season!

SOS TIPS: SAVING ON OFFICE SPACE/EQUIPMENT

How to save yourself time as well as the frustration of looking for things. A little planning now can really help on those non-stop days.

Fall is such a busy time with new school schedules, revving up business after the summer slump and realizing the holidays are not far away. (whew!)

Take a few minutes and think of the routine tasks you regularly do such as send out materials, get bank deposits together, get ready for presentations, etc. Make a list of everything you need to do these. What do you always forget?

Also think of the last time you spent time looking for something you needed that you could not find...remember the frustration and time lost?

THIS MONTHS TIPS CAN HELP WITH THESE HASSLES!

1. Designate specific bags or briefcases for regular meetings/events held outside your office. Put everything you need (such as brochures, name tags, tape, etc) in each bag. Easy to grab and go.

2.Replinish each bag when you come back to your office while what you need is fresh on your mind, Buy duplicate items for each bag if needed.

3.Think of the routine tasks you do regularly such as mailing materials, looking up information, etc. Assemble all the things you need to do those task in a container and don't take anything out to use in another area. Buy extras if you need them elsewhere.

4.Use colored file folders or colored labels to designate types of material such as red for customers, blue for vendors, etc. Makes it easier to find what you need.

5. Use a simple spiral notebook as your phone record. Use one sheet per day and record info. Can save you when you need to find who you talked to and when; doesn't get lost like sticky notes.

6.Shop the "back to school supplies sales" to find office supplies. You will find many helpful ideas for organizing. Students today have lots of tools to assist them.

7.Begin to think of holiday gifts for clients, You may be able to find things on sale or get a discount for early ordering.

Fall is such a beautiful time...Use some of these tips so you have time to enjoy it!

SOS TIPS: GOING GREEN

How to "GO GREEN " to Save and Make More "Green...$" for your Business

The recent LIVE EARTH CONCERT to raise awareness about environmental concerns, and lots of related info in the news, has us all thinking about how we can improve our environment.

SOS Tips are all about saving and making money, and "Going Green" fits right into that concept. As entrepreneurs and small business owners, we are a perfect example of people who can make small changes that have a big impact.

1. If you need furnishings for your office/business, check out great desks, chairs, file cabinets, lamps, and other office items at Habit for Humanity Re-Stores. No packing material is used for shipping, you contribute to a good cause, and these recycled office furnishings do not end up in our landfills. For locations, go to www.charlotterestore.org.

2. If you provide water at your office for customers/employees to drink, consider using filtered water pitchers and paper cups instead of individual plastic bottles of water. Paper cups take about 2-4 weeks to disintegrate in a landfill; plastic bottles take approximately 1000 years to biodegrade. The average American throws away enough plastic bottles in one year to construct a plastic chain around the globe.

3. If your customers drink coffee or hot drinks, consider furnishing them attractive ceramic cups or mugs. They are easy to put into the dishwasher and add a touch of class to your business. Find them cheaply at Goodwill or a Habit Re-Store. Styrofoam cups never biodegrade and will be in our landfills forever.

4. Buy small fans to use in every room. Fans make you feel cooler and you can set the air conditioner thermostat 5-7 degrees higher and still feel comfortable.

5. Set up an attractive recycling center for cans, bottles, and paper in your business by using colorful plastic or wicker baskets that don't take up much space. Call it the "Green Corner."

6. Send and receive your invoices via email. It saves time, paper, stamps, and your mail carrier's back. PayPal has a good service for sending and receiving payments. Go to www.paypal.com.

7. Replace your regular light bulbs with compact fluorescent bulbs (CFLs). They use 66% less energy than a standard incandescent bulb and last up to 10 times longer, so you will save time changing bulbs. Replacing a 100-watt incandescent bulb with a 32-watt CFL can save $30 in energy costs over the life of the bulb. Packages of 6 or 8 CFL bulbs are the best way to buy and are sold at Lowe's or Home Depot.

SOS TIPS: SPRING CLEANING

These Spring tips are all about how to save time while making it easy to manage your money. Spring Cleaning means it is time to clean up those tasks that take your time & energy so you have more time to play outside!

1. Make a duplicate of your phone book and put it where you can easily find it - no more panic when your cell goes dead or you misplace the numbers

2.Automate all your bills by using your online banking or having bills drafted thru your checking account. Service is free & you don't have to spend time writing out checks + no stamps

4.Automate any regular announcements/notices you send out by using a "list serve" service such as Constant Contact (www.constantcontact.com) You can write as many announcements you want and schedule them to go out at time/date you choose. The list serve also can keep track of bounces, and other email issues & gives reports on who reads what/when ( I use Contact Contact to send this out)

5.Use "level payments" service for utilities & have it drafted from your checking account; makes it easy to manage your money and you don't get hit with the nasty surprise of a large bill

6.Set up Quicken or other software to keep track of your accounting; check out "4 Steps for Record Keeping"
(www.Junewalker.com). This book tells you exactly how to set up your accounts to make it simple and quick

7.Make time to clean out all those old emails while you listen to your favorite music (for free music, check out : (www.Pandora.com)

8.Use Paypal (www.paypal.com) to send invoices, take/send payments. Free to set up and small charge for transitions; very safe and secure.

SOS TIPS: SPRING CLEANING

We never know what is going to happen next but smart entrepreneurs do the best they can to make sure their business keeps going no matter what. A little time & thought now may really save you later.

1.Schedule an "insurance check-up" with your agent to make sure your business is covered in case of emergency. This is especially important if you run your business at home as you need some special protection to be covered.
( Insurance companies offer new services including identity theft protection & insurance for home based business)

2. Make a list of documents and information you would have to have to keep you business going if you could not use your office/computer. Make duplicates and keep in a safe place somewhere else; especially important is your customer contact info- this is irreplaceable. (recent floods/storms have made me very aware that this can happen anytime- very hard to wake up to no way to do business)

3. Take advantage of all the "back to school sales"; often
your office needs the same supplies as at school. It is also good to stock up while it is on sale; look ahead to the next 6 months & think about what you will need.( And fun to get the great colors & patterns that kids have-buy some wild designs to make you smile)

4. Give some thought to what you want will need for holiday gifts. Many business give discounts for ordering early.( Whew, it is really coming in less that 2 months!)

5.You might also consider a fall sale or discount for people ordering from you before holidays. You can get ahead of all everyone else. (Be sure to check out the specials/discounts from smart LIFELINES advertisers in left column & also on my website)

6. If you are going to buy office equipment, a new computer etc. soon, you may save by getting this year's models as new ones come out or by holiday sale prices.
( I have also found some great bargains by buying refurbished equipment-all come with a warranty)

SOS TIPS: REUSE, RECYCLE & RENEW

The Theme for this months tips are Re-use, Recycle & Renew. These tips will enable you to save money while being more environmentally "friendly".

Cleaning out your office and making it more efficient is a great use of your time...since our time is money! And it will reduce the hassles of misplacing important info or paying too much and can also help the environment.

Besides, it makes you feel in control and virtuous!

1. Recycle your old computer & other office equipment,etc.to special Goodwill store.(www.reconnectpartership.com).While at the store, shop for USB cords,books & other equipment to make you more efficient. Keep your receipt for taxes.

2.Renew your computer by having it "tuned up" to take out all that stuff that makes it crash.It is not expensive and can save you save you many problems.Check out Steve Abbott for Mac service (macabb@carolina.rr.com) or PC support at Service @datasyst.com or your local user group for recommendations.

3.Make a note in your new calendar on what services (web hosting,domains,credit cards,etc.) are due for renewal and shop for a better deal.Check out www.lowermybills.com

4.Recycle your old ink cartridges at all office supply stores and get a discount on what you buy there (and save the enviroment)

5.Join a free "preferred members" office supply club and get discount coupons via email.

6.Clean out your files and recycle paper to use for copying drafts & other things where quality is not important (and you save a tree).

7.Recycle your old cell phone & help victims of Domestic violence.Contact: Michael.Sexton@mecklenburgcountync.gov

And you may save a life!

SOS TIPS : BUILDING YOUR CONTACT LIST PART 2

1. Join organizations that share their members contact information. The price of membership is usually less than most ads.

2. Join business/professional organizations, as well as personal interests groups (book clubs, causes, etc) You will enjoy the meetings and the members are great potential contacts as you are already a trusted colleague.

3. Send a brief email or postcard (see tips for March) to introduce yourself and your business to the members of your new organization

4. Offer a discount to members of your new organization

5. Advertise in the organization's newsletter and take your marketing materials to every meeting.

6. Offer to do a presentation for your new organization, great free publicity and you are seen as an outstanding and contributing member.

SOS TIPS : BUILDING YOUR CONTACT LIST PART 1

1. Develop a few simple and clear sentences to describe your new venture, product or service. (Your 30 second elevator story.)

2. Ask several people to read it and give you feedback until it is clear, focused and you feel comfortable saying it aloud. (it will feel awkward until you practice)

3. Develop a simple flyer, letter or postcard announcing your new service using your description.

4. Offer a discount for new customers (we all love a bargain).

5. Go through your personal phone book and call EVERYONE you know and ask if you can send them information on your business (personal contact is much more effective than email on this).

7. Thank them and send them your materials. They become the basis for your customer list.

Viola! You have the beginning of a great list.

SOS TIPS: TELL THE WORLD

The most important thing you can do when you are starting a business or promoting a new product / service is: TELL THE WORLD! No one can buy from you or support you if they don�t know what you are doing!

Here are some simple inexpensive ideas using POSTCARDS to market your business. People like postcards because they are easy to read and keep. It also gives you something to talk about at networking meetings.

1. Make up simple announcements of your business / product / workshop on bright colored card stock, print on your home computer and hand out to everyone you meet.

2. Never leave home without your postcards (I keep a supply + pins in my car)

3. Pass postcards out everywhere you go- gym, church, community group, club

4. Ask friends who have �traffic� in their business to give out cards to their customers (my hairdresser is one of my best marketers).

5. Put postcards on bulletin boards at bookstores, gym, churches, health food stores, especially put them up where your customers will go (great name recognition also from this).

Jeannie@jeanniefennell.com
704.342.1144