What do you do with interactive tools like blogs, video, all that web 2.0 stuff, to build relationships, to reach customers? First, it’s not about you. Let’s start with the message I previously shared from Hugh MacLeod, small town global microbrand, who writes and draws at Gaping Void: Marketing is moving away from our message…
Checklists for starting your first business has generated some follow up questions and discussion, so let’s go over those. Can I deduct computer equipment and software I purchased before I started my business? Partially, but you won’t get much of a deduction. Here’s Maesz’ explanation: The previously personal items of equipment that are converted to…
I know, most of us are really small biz owners, but when you get to the place you must hire employees, here are the 10 questions you must NEVER ask in an interview. It might also be a good idea to have these with you if you have applied for a job and go to…
Each Friday, I open the brag basket as a fun place to brag or promote yourself and your projects. Last week, Michelle and I bragged on SXSW! You can brag on a friend, your own project, yourself, others, anything! You don’t need special permission or anything. Just leave a comment right here. There’s no deadline,…
While we talk about interactive web 2.0 type tools, there’s an older definition of an interactive experience. Michael McMillan told this story on the Harvey House listserv group, shared by Sandie Olson to Angie Koehn to me. My wife and I were crusing the Mother Road [Route 66] up in Oklahoma and the Texas panhandle…
Jon Swanson, formerly the Entrepreneurial Chicken, is writing about small business again. He helped again this year with a training event for a small retail cooperative. What I heard today made me more optimistic about the presentations in any time in the past 6 years of doing this. Today, one of the groups said, “We…
“I just got my first paying side gig! Now what? Am I a business? What do I have to file? How does all this work?” If you are active in the world of social and creative media, you may find yourself with an unexpected offer to accept advertising, do some consulting work, or speak for…
When you are in a small town, how do you build relationships and beat that feeling of isolation? I asked that question at SXSW, and here are some suggestions from other attendees. Blog the local If you blog or podcast, talk about local events. It’s a way to hopefully connect with other local folks interested…
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