Should You Self-Publish Your Book?

The following are five reasons why small businesses should self-publish (open publish) a book:

1.      Marketing. Being able to hand someone a book is more powerful and memorable than giving them a brochure or business card.

Self-Publishing gets easier and easier each year for home-based entrepreneurs.

2.      Expertise. Having a book on a topic or niche is an effective way to establish a company or person as an expert in their field.

3.      Sales. Offering a book for sale adds another revenue stream for small businesses.

4.      Taxes. Small businesses have the advantage of being able to claim a tax deduction for any expenses related to preparing the book for publication.

5.      Extension. A book offers an extension of a person's business. It will give customers the opportunity to learn more.

Lulu.com, founded in 2002, is a company that specializes in open publishing, giving small business authors the ability to publish everything from print and eBooks, to calendars and cookbooks, to photo books and mini books.

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Blind Drop Shipping to Grow a Home-Based Business

A Business Secret Seldom Discussed

By Brad Beiermann Ph.D., Hienote Inc.

The concept of drop shipping is not new, but has found itself in the midst of a growth curve fueled by Internet commerce.

As a retailer, you will put the product pictures on your site at retail pricing and wait for an order.

Drop shipping is a process used by a manufacturer, or authorized wholesale distributor to ship your single item orders directly to your customers. As a retailer, you will put the product pictures on your site at retail pricing and wait for an order. Once you receive an order, you will email or call the drop ship supplier with the customer's order information and they will in turn ship the product directly to your customer. Consider two things: Tracking and Returns.

Tracking

Most customers want to get parcel tracking information about the products they order. If you are a new retailer, eBayer, or you are thinking about doing online retailing, you will have a customer who will ask for tracking information. If you give the tracking information, it will have your supplier's address information on it. What will you do if you are using a blind drop shipper for the order? The first option would be to give the tracking information, thus letting the customer know the identity of the supplier. If it is a no-repeat customer, this might work in your favor. The second option is to implement a policy of not giving out tracking information. It simplifies things and sets boundaries with your customers. A third option is offering the tracking information and describing the shipping origin differently when asked. You might describe the shipping origin as your "remote warehouse" or "distribution center" reserved for returns.

Returns

What happens when you get a customer who wants to return something for an exchange? If your policy is to not give out tracking information, then as far as they know, the package came from your location. Unlike a return address, the main label address will need a valid recipient name when they send the package back for exchange. In short, if you want to keep your supplier concealed, then you will need to have the packaged returned back to your location. Later on, you can return this back to your supplier. In this scenario, you will have paid twice for shipping, but it keeps your wholesale source concealed. HBM

Brad Beiermann Ph.D., is President of Hienote Inc., which specializes in product sourcing, exhibition marketing, and assisting small businesses locate wholesale drop shipping companies. Visit http://www.hienote.com. Get a FREE copy of "Starting Your Online Retail Niche With Drop Shipping"  at http://www.hienotedirectory.com/drop_shipping_ebook.htmhttp://www.hienot... V19-3 Add: 7/12 Car: 7/19/12 HP:

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How to Effectively Manage, Buy, and Sell Businesses

Franchisor Mike Schaack Successfully Provides Business Brokerage Services

By Priscilla Y. Huff

In 1999, based on the recommendations of a respected business friend and the positive results of his own research, Mike Schaack invested in Murphy Business & Financial, a premier franchise of business brokers located throughout the United States, Canada and parts of Europe. Presently, Schaack is Regional Director for the state of Colorado.

When considering a franchise opportunity, Schaack says ask about the company’s success and failure rate; and then ask their franchisees if the company provides them with value-added services that justify the initial franchise fees.

     He says a typical Murphy client is the original founder of a small or mid-sized business who wants to sell his business for retirement money, or expansion or for other reasons. The franchise’s brokers also guide and assist buyers in purchasing their ideal businesses.

While maintaining confidentiality, Schaack says his firm looks at the financial history of a client’s business and works with that owner to package it for sale. The firm markets its services through company web sites; mailings with telemarketing backup; and continual communications with potential customers.
He says the upside of having a home-based business is having the flexibility to meet clients when and where he wants; but the downside is that it is not a 9-to-5 job. “When working from home, you cannot ‘clock’ out and forget about it…because your business resides with you.”

When considering a franchise opportunity, Schaack says ask about the company’s success and failure rate; and then ask their franchisees if the company provides them with value-added services that justify the initial franchise fees. “To succeed as a franchisee, realize you are buying into the company’s ‘formula for success’ and be sure to follow it.”

    In addition to being potentially lucrative, Schaack says a Murphy franchise offers an exciting challenge to any entrepreneur’s business, financial, and people skills. “I also derive a great deal of personal satisfaction knowing I helped my clients go forward with their life’s goals.” For more information, visit www.murphybusiness.com. HBM   V19-5 Add:10/12 Car: 10/31/12  HP: ?

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