All posts tagged business tips

Tips to Improve Your Online Site

Tips to Improve Your Online Site

Today’s technology provides a great number of conveniences that have changed the way everyday tasks are completed.  For example, twenty years ago, if you needed to find the phone number or any other information about a business, you opened up the yellow pages, or perhaps you splurged and called 411 to get what you needed.

As you know, all that has changed.  The first place most people go when they need information about a business is the internet.  You’ve probably done it hundreds of times: Google the name of the business, scan the first couple of results, and click on the one that appears to be the business’s official site.  If designed well, you are quickly able to find it from that Google search, find contact info, business hours, product info, testimonials, etc.

Because of the way consumers look for businesses today, having an effective web presence is essential. Here are some tips for improving your website so customers can easily find what they are looking for.

  • Keep it simple.  A site that is uncluttered is much easier to navigate and takes less time to load, especially for users accessing it from a mobile device.  Evaluate your current content and get rid of anything that isn’t absolutely essential.  Keep your calls to action simple, based on your goals. You should even also simplify the font used to make sure it’s legible and appropriate.  There’s nothing worse than having to click through an untidy site that is chock full of needless html coding or flash animation, or whose menus are not easily found.  Tip:  Identify five business sites that you find easy and pleasant to use, and model your own after the qualities that you feel are the most user-friendly.
  • Use call to action buttons to your advantage.  Call to action buttons (Submit Order, Start Download, Add to Cart, etc.) are designed to get the user to act on something, so they should definitely stand out.  Make the buttons larger than the font on the rest of the page, and use a bright color like orange to differentiate them from other text.  Remember that your call to action buttons should “command attention without overwhelming your design.” Source
  • Provide testimonials with photos.  Any business can say good things about itself, and consumers are often skeptical.  That’s why testimonials are so important.  Visitors to your site want to know how real people felt about their experiences with you.  Including photos with your testimonials will make them even more relatable and real to your potential customers.
  • Keep it updated.  All hyperlinks should be functional and relevant, any online ordering system should contain current products and pricing, contact information should be accurate, etc.  Set yourself monthly reminders to visit your own site as if you were a first time viewer.  Click around the entire site, testing out links and reading any copy.  If something is out of date, fix it immediately.
  • Include a description of your business.  You might have an “About” page that includes a mission statement and a brief description of the products/services you offer.  Be smart about how the description is worded, as it will affect your SEO (search engine optimization).  Remember how most people’s first step is usually a Google search?  You can improve your website’s visibility if you use key words that someone might use in a search. For instance, if you sell all-natural cleaning products, you should include words such as: green, chemical-free, environmentally-friendly, and organic.  Such terms are most likely to be used in a search, and you want your site to pop up in the first page or two of results.  There is no shortage of resources for improving your SEO, such as SEOmoz for those just getting started.
  • Create an interesting “About” page.  This portion of your site should be interesting and personable.  Do this by making the copy easy to understand and written in your own unique style that feels professional, yet conversational.  Also, be sure to include a call to action button on this page like “Learn More” (links to more specific product information) or “See How It Works” (links to a video demonstrating the product).
  • Include a blog. A blog serves the purpose of providing answers that potential customers may be searching for, while also providing the fresh content that Google loves when determining the order in which it displays search results. Write a blog at least 2-3 times per week that provides content related to what you have to offer, without being an ad. For example, if you sell jewelry, you might write about current fashion trends and how to wear jewelry with different outfits. The blog gives visitors a reason to keep coming back to your site, and to tell their friends about it.

A site that is user-friendly and full of valuable information can be a major asset to your business.  Use your own experiences with both effective and ineffective sites to decide how you want yours to look.  What other tips do you have for improving your site?  Please share your ideas below!

Better Networking

Better Networking

Whether you own a storefront business or operate from your home, relationship-building plays an essential role in your business.  Networking has the potential to provide many opportunities such as word of mouth marketing, potential customers, and mutually beneficial partnerships with other small business owners.  Read the following tips on how to make the most out of the time you invest in networking.

  • Be generous in giving out referrals.  Referrals are as valuable as gold in the small business world because receiving one provides a basis on which to build a relationship as well as giving you a foot in the door when making that initial contact.  In order to receive more referrals from others, offer them to other fellow small business owners.  It is human nature for people to return a favor; just think about the last time someone gave you a referral.  Didn’t you want to give them something in return to show your appreciation?  The more referrals you pass on to others, the more likely they are to pass some on to you.
  • Look beyond your target market.  Although the bulk of your time should be spent focusing on your target market, it is still a good idea to look beyond that demographic in order to connect with new people.  For instance, a seller of women’s beauty products caters mostly to her target market of young professional women.  However, at certain times of the year such as Valentine’s Day and Christmas, she markets her business to men in search of thoughtful gifts to give their girlfriends or wives.  She holds men-only shopping events in which a guy can feel comfortable shopping in a “girl’s store”, and she encourages them to bring some photos of that special lady so she can help guide him toward the appropriate products.  When the men come away with a good shopping experience and a grateful girlfriend, they are likely to return as loyal customers and recommend her business to their buddies, dads, and brothers.
  • Develop a reputation for excellence.  In these times of economic hardship when mostly everyone is looking for the best deal, people are still willing to pay a little more for a quality product and outstanding customer service.  Make each customer glad that he/she chose you to do business with instead of a competitor by providing those two things.  Additionally, find ways to make customers feel special each and every time they shop (not just the first time when you want to make a good first impression).  If you can consistently provide what your customers wants and needs and do it in a way that they will enjoy, then you will begin to build a reputation for excellent business practices.  Customers will recommend you to others, and you will become a trustworthy and dependable force within your niche.  Remember that this takes time, so be patient, persistent, and always put forth 100%.

Just like any other skill, networking requires practice in order to improve.  Follow the tips mentioned above and always seek out other resources to stay aware of current networking trends.  How do you improve your networking skills?  Please share your comments below!

Free e-book “Business Owner’s Road Map to Success.” It has over 50 pages of techniques for everything a small business owner needs to master, from business planning and ethical selling to a success mindset. It’s all there and it’s free for you. To get it, just “Like” our Facebook Page here: http://on.fb.me/KsIN6P Pass it on!

3 Effective Ways to Market Your Business

3 Effective Ways to Market Your Business

Imagine if you were planning a major celebration, such as a wedding.  You’ve spent days and weeks planning the perfect theme, venue, food, music, etc.  As amazing as this party could be, it simply wouldn’t happen if you didn’t send out invitations.  Without invitations, no one beyond your close circle of family and friends would even know about the event.  This same rule applies to your business.  Marketing your business is mandatory for bringing in customers, but you should also think of it as an ongoing process instead of something you do once in awhile when sales are starting to lag.  Here are three effective ways you can market your business and bring in customers.

  1. Tap your customers’ passions.  It’s no secret that successful entrepreneurs know how to educate their customers on what they need as well as how the product works.  However, people aren’t usually as interested in what they need as they are in what they really want.  Find out what your customer is passionate about, what motivates that person on a daily basis, what he/she really enjoys doing, etc.  Your marketing materials are much more likely to bring in customers if you appeal to a customer’s lifestyle/culture rather than the product itself.  For instance, if you are selling all-natural cleaning products, an advertisement stating that customers will get “10% off if you stop by all this week” will likely get overlooked.  On the other hand, if your message says, “We’ll provide you with all your green cleaning needs because your family’s well-being is our #1 priority,” you’ve now tapped into your customer’s desire to eliminate harsh chemicals from the home.  People respond better to messages they care about than they do to sales talk.
  2. Get involved in your community.  Being a part of your community offers wonderful opportunities for networking, service-sharing, customer service, and marketing.  Even better than that though, is demonstrating your commitment to give back.  By participating in community events and hosting your own events, you will be more recognizable to others, and they will be more able to relate to you because like them, you are interested in the community’s well-being.  For example, a local contractor builds the central display for the town’s annual festival for free, makes himself available for free estimates for neighborhood residents, and is regularly seen his children’s baseball games and school fundraising events.  Because he is a visible part of the community who frequents the same local spots as his customers, they are more likely to remember who he is and trust him to do the job well.
  3. Make customers feel special. Word of mouth is a powerful thing, and customers are happy and excited to recommend you to others after they’ve had a memorable, positive experience patronizing your business.  We live in tough economic times where getting the lowest price has become a top priority for most people, and lots of businesses that can offer competitive pricing don’t have time for superior customer service.  Find ways to personalize your products and services, such as including a handwritten thank you note with your customer’s order.  Being kind and attentive to customers is an effective and low-cost way to market your business.

How have you been able to use our suggestions?  What are some other ways to market your business that have worked for you in the past?  Please share your comments below!

How to Run a Great Contest on Facebook

How to Run a Great Contest on Facebook

Running a contest on Facebook is a great idea because it not only engages your community, but it gives you something new to talk about.  Both of these things attract new people to “like” your page and can help bring in new customers and prospects.  However, if not done properly or effectively, a contest can backfire and turn people away from your page or worse; you could lose your page altogether if you don’t abide by Facebook’s terms of serie.  Use the following tips to help you run a successful Facebook contest.

  • Decide on an outcome.  If you have an objective or ultimate goal for your contest, then you will be more equipped to create one that is successful.  For example, your goal may be to build up your mailing list or referrals, to introduce your product line, or to compile customer testimonials to use in future advertising.  Keep your goal in mind when working out the details for how the contest will operate.  This will help you keep it straightforward, user-friendly, and easily shareable.
  • Carefully choose your contest type.  There are a myriad of ways to run a contest including photo or video contests, essay contests, trivia, or sweepstakes.  Once you’ve decided on your desired outcome, make sure the type of contest and the motivating prize you choose will help you achieve your goal.  Consider your target market and what they will be willing to do.  For example, let’s say your target market consists mostly of career-minded professionals in the corporate sector.  If you design your contest in such a way that there is too much work involved to enter, like one that requires a 5-minute viral video, you will be very disappointed with the small number of entries you get, if any.  Ask yourself what your target market will be willing to do for the chosen prize.  In the example above, if the chosen prize is a one-time voucher for 10% off the next purchase, chances are slim that your potential customers will put much time in for a glorified coupon.  A better choice would be a free gift basket of their choice of up to 5 products or one year of unlimited free shipping.  Get creative and think about the kind of contest that you would want to enter.
  • Use a third party app.  Because of Facebook’s Promotional Guidelines, which prohibit the use of any Facebook features (comments, likes) as requirements to enter, third party apps are a requirement for running a contest.  Unfortunately, these apps are not always free to use, but there are some inexpensive ones such as Wildfire or Google Docs that make running your contest easy to do.  Tip:  If you have a blog, consider accepting entries via comments on the blog using a service like Rafflecopter.  Don’t risk losing your Facebook page because you weren’t willing to pay for a 3rd party app.
  • Don’t run the contest for too long.  A contest that runs for a more than a few days to a week will most likely lose its steam long before the end date.  Keeping in mind what people have to do to enter, choose a time frame that is reasonable enough for any necessary preparation, but tight enough to maintain interest.
  • Promote!  The best way to promote your contest is to ask people to share it.  Ask in person, post about it every day on your Facebook page, and/or add a widget on your blog such as a countdown ticker.  Encourage others to click the “share” button to help you get the word out, and explore the use of Facebook ads to attract new people in your target market, as well as engaging your existing community.  The more you ask people to share your contest, the better turnout you will have.

What experiences or ideas have you had for running a successful contest on Facebook?  Please share your tips in the comments section below!

Creating Buzz For Your Business

Creating Buzz For Your Business

When starting a business, it is important to focus on the providing a quality product, and consider how best to deliver it to your customers.  However, none of that will matter if no one knows about your product.  You must get people talking about your business, sharing information about it on the internet, and recommending it to others.  This creates a buzz that will bring customers to your door.

  • Highlight personal success stories as well as hardships.  When discussing your business with others, it pays to set yourself apart from others by sharing how you got to where you are.  What led you to the decision to run your business?  What obstacles have you faced and overcome along the way?  How have you achieved your goals thus far?  What makes you passionate about this business?  Answering these types of questions will show others that because your business is a personal victory, that you are dedicated to providing customers with nothing but positive shopping experiences.
  • Reach out to those who have inspired you.  There are no doubt a number of people who have influenced your decision to start a business.  These might be former teachers/professors, family members, friends, fellow business owners, etc.  Don’t be afraid to contact them to share your accomplishments, thanking them for being positively influential in your life, and offering them V.I.P. customer status for inspiring you to achieve your dreams.  You never know where it might lead.  For example, a former dancer has started her own studio and reaches out to her childhood dance instructor to tell her the good news.  Not only does the instructor offer her valuable professional advice, but she offers her services as a master class guest teacher to bring in new clientele.  Those who have taught you well can likely continue passing on their wisdom and experiences.
  • Blog about your business.  Blogging not only allows you to share information about your business, but it affords you the opportunity to interact with current and potential customers.  Regularly participate in the conversation that occurs in your blog’s comments section, and do the same for others’ blogs.  Tip:  Add video.  A humorous and unique video either on your blog or business’s website can create immediate buzz by drawing the attention of a larger population.  If you really execute this well, your video has the potential to go viral; the exposure provided by a viral video can be a turning point for a startup business from which it grows to the next level.
  • Make a major announcement. Sometimes, business owners are successful at creating an initial buzz, but sustaining that attention is difficult.  One way to keep your business at the forefront of the people’s interest is to make a major announcement, like a new product, contest or promotion, equipment upgrade, improved facilities, or competitive price cut.  Create anticipation of your announcement by referring to it in marketing materials with an emphasis on the upcoming date.  When you do make such an announcement, it should be done in such a way that no one is likely to miss it.  For example, a local bakery announces that it will be creating an audition reel for a major reality competition show for chefs and wants to include its customers on the tape.  The bakery’s owner sends out electronic and paper mailings as well as posts a large banner on its storefront offering a free cupcake to any customer who shows up to appear in the audition reel.  The bakery becomes a full house on the day of shooting, and aside from drawing in so many customers, the owner walks away with plenty of quality footage to submit to the network.

Creating buzz for your business is an effective technique to attract new customers and maintain current ones.  How do you create buzz?  Please share your ideas below!

To get your free copy of the eBook, click here: 15 Days to Greater Success. You can download it from our Facebook Page. And while you’re there, you can download our other free eBooks too: Business Owner’s Road Map to Success, Creating Your Success Mindset, and Reflections on Success. They’re all designed to give you an edge in your business, and help you focus on the daily practices that lead to your goals.

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Customer Service Checklist

Customer Service Checklist

As a small business owner, providing excellent customer service should be one of your cornerstones. The personal touch you provide is one of the main reasons why people will choose you over larger stores and corporations. The list below provides tips for providing an outstanding customer service experience every time. How well does your business measure up?

  • Focus on the positive.  Having an optimistic point of view can go a long way.  Your sunny disposition will rub off on customers. You of course want to be genuine, but make the effort to put a positive spin on any situation.  For example, a customer may say that she just doesn’t know where to start in improving her look with makeup. The salesperson replies, “Why don’t we start by working on those dark circles under your eyes?” This could make the customer feel self-conscious, and she leaves hurt, angry, and in search of a different business. The salesperson should have taken a positive approach by saying something like, “Let’s start by finding some color to bring out those gorgeous brown eyes of yours!” Always focus on the positive to make your customers feel special and appreciated.
  • Be helpful in your initial engagement.  Those first impressions you make on customers are lasting ones, so focus on being a helpful ally in their quest to find what they are looking for. One way to do this is by asking questions about them to give you some insight about how to tailor your services to their needs. Get a sense of where they are in their lives (job, spouse, children, friends) and what interests them (special skills, hobbies). For example, someone selling clothes learns that a customer has just become an empty-nester and is about to travel around the country with her spouse for the first time in two decades. Knowing this will help the salesperson select products that would be of most use to this particular customer, and the personal attention provided will keep the customer coming back again and again.
  • Hold their hands through the process. If there are any specials steps to buying from you, such as ordering, delivery, or paperwork, take the extra step of filling out the paperwork for the customer and explaining the process clearly. If a customer needs to go online to find a particular item, do it for them. Eliminate any stress the customer might experience from having to take an additional step, and take care of it for them. This is excellent customer service that will keep them coming back to you and your business.
  • Follow up quickly. After a customer shops with you, personal follow up can really set you and your business apart. Make sure you get contact information from each customer, and ask how they prefer to be contacted. Make sure items were delivered, that the order is complete and accurate, and that the customer is satisfied. Quick follow-ups show customers your desire to please, and lets them know that their business is important to you.
  • Ask for feedback.  Don’t be afraid to ask your customers for feedback. Ask the customer what they thought of the shopping experience, and what would make the experience even better next time. Most people won’t initiate feedback, so it’s your job to seek it out and use what you hear to improve.  It takes a thick skin to do this sometimes, but it’s a highly effective way to improve and grow your business.

Customer service requires a genuine desire to help others, which will help you stand out from your competitors.

Is there anything that should be added to our list?  Please share your ideas below!

Tips for Reducing Financial Stress

Tips for Reducing Financial Stress

The burdens of managing one’s finances can put a tremendous amount of stress on even the most easy-going person.  Whether you make $10,000 a year or $10 million, there are some straightforward steps you can take today to ease your personal and/or professional financial stress.  All it takes is some commitment, honesty, and a little bit of time.

  1. Organize.  You should have a system in place for managing incoming bills and other paperwork related to your finances.  Some people prefer the conventional pencil and paper method, while others use software such as Quicken to track their income and expenses.  You may like to pay your bills online through your bank’s website, or you might want to write and mail checks to each payee.  The best solution is the one that you feel most comfortable using and is efficient for your needs.  Furthermore, make sure you have a set place for where you pay your bills and a regular schedule of when you do it.  For most people, twice a month is sufficient, but you have the freedom to create your own schedule.  Tip:  If you pay your bills online, consider taking advantage of the easy pay feature that your bank or payee probably offers, in which the amount is automatically deducted from the account of your choosing whenever a payment is due.  This works best for bills that are generally the same amount each time, such as a mortgage or auto insurance payment.  By having an organized system in place, you won’t have the stress of overdue or forgotten bills.
  2. Track.  In order to further reduce stress, you need to have a full picture of your financial situation.  The first step is by tracking where every penny goes so you can get an accurate picture of any overlooked expenditures.  For example, that $3 latte may not seem like much when you stop for it a few times a week to start your day, but by tracking even small purchases like that one, you may find that you’re spending the equivalent of a week’s worth of gasoline by the end of the month.  How about investing in a cappuccino maker instead? It may wind up costing you less in the long run.
  3. Set goals and plan.  Now that you know where all your money is going, set both short-term and long-term financial goals.  Perhaps you want to save up for a summer vacation; that would be a short-term goal.  Saving for your children’s college education or your own retirement, however, would be a long-term goal.  Using your current income and mandatory living expenses, plan for the life you want to live.
  4. Budget.  You’ve organized your finances, tracked your expenditures, and set your goals.  Now it’s time to create your budget.  Most people work out a monthly budget, including your income, living expenses, and a discretionary fund for spending money.  Decide what you need to do to live within your means.  Refer to your budget often and adjust it as needed.
  5. Find a part-time job. Doing something that takes a few hours per week can help you supplement your income and reduce financial stress. Consider your family’s schedule, and when you might be able to work. Would a set schedule work better for you, or is flexibility important? Do you want someone to give you a schedule, or would you rather set your own hours? Making these decisions will help you find a part-time opportunity that can help you reach your financial goals.

The key to reducing financial stress is knowledge.  It may not always be easy to take a hard look at exactly where you stand, but it is essential to meeting your personal and professional goals.

How do you reduce the stress of finances?  Please share your ideas with us below!

Creating Useful Content Marketing

Creating Useful Content Marketing

Building an audience that is interested in your business and all it has to offer is the main objective of content marketing.  Today’s technology makes it easier than ever before to distribute such relevant content to your target market. By taking advantage of these resources, you can create and share useful content to acquire an interested following, and watch your business grow.

  • Provide solutions to problems. Consider problems that your target market encounters that your products/services can solve. Share these solutions online.
  • Re-package your present content.  Just because you want to broaden your audience base doesn’t mean you have to reinvent the wheel.  You most likely already have content that is worth sharing, so consider re-packaging it into a different medium, such as an e-book.  With the presence of smartphones and e-readers, e-books are very appealing to the general public.  The same goes for podcasts. The great thing about podcasts is that they are free; another bonus is their accessibility from a variety of devices.  A little market research and an inventory of the types of technology you are interested in will help you choose the best format for your content.
  • Update current content.  Thinking more about your current content, it is definitely worth periodic review.  Some of it may only need to be tweaked, but you might find that an update or re-write is in order.  For example, when reviewing your blog archives, you come across a post about interacting with customers during a product demonstration.  If this post was written prior to 2007-2008, it would be a good idea to update it to include new ideas about interacting through smartphone apps.  You should also review your content for new information backed by current scientific research, recent user reviews, innovative product concepts, etc.  If it is relevant to your business, it’s probably relevant to your audience as well.
  • Change your medium.  Sometimes it isn’t necessary to alter your content, just the way it is presented.  For example, if your blog hits have been steadily on the rise for three years, but have experienced a plateau in recent months, experiment with changing the format.  Posts made up solely of text might benefit from an occasional video, for example.  Try out different media to decide which ones work best for your needs and attract your audience.

Successful content marketing contains quality in both the message and its delivery.  Be sure that what you are creating is valuable to your audience and easily shareable.

How do you create and share useful content?  Please add a comment below!

Free e-book “Business Owner’s Road Map to Success.” It has over 50 pages of techniques for everything a small business owner needs to master, from business planning and ethical selling to a success mindset. It’s all there and it’s free for you. To get it, just “Like” our Facebook Page here: http://on.fb.me/KsIN6P Pass it on!

Effective Sales Pitches

Effective Sales Pitches

The sales pitch: if done well, it’s one of the most effective ways to show a potential customer that he or she should definitely purchase your product.  Salespeople have their own style and flair that they add to their pitches, and you should aim to incorporate your own personality and passion into yours.  However, there are some general guidelines that, if followed, will increase the success of your sales pitch.

  • Build a relationship.  Good business is all about relationships.  People want to feel that they are doing business with someone who is knowledgeable, reliable, and likeable.  Be sure to demonstrate that you care about their satisfaction, not just about their money or making the sale.  One way to do this is to initiate conversations in which you show a genuine interest in their lives.  Open with questions that allow the customer to talk about his or her family, hobbies, and other interests.
  • Get personal.  Customers want to see who you are as a person, mostly because they want to know that you are more than a salesperson; if they can relate to you, they are more likely to form a positive impression of you.  For example, one direct seller of educational books talks about her decision to change her career path during her sales pitch.  In it, she shares how important it was for her to stay home with her children and be a role model to them as a strong, responsible woman.  Her target market is made up of women who hold the same beliefs, so they can relate to her story and often take an immediate liking to her.
  • Know your audience.  Using the example above, that story would not work if the consultant’s target market were made up of mostly young, career-minded single men and women.  That demographic, although able to appreciate her story, would not likely see themselves in her.  Make sure you know who your audience is and what would appeal to them.  Remember, your interest in your customers should be a genuine one, so doing your research is essential to conveying your sincerity.
  • Focus on one point.  A sales pitch should incorporate certain details, but make sure the focus is on one particular point (perhaps the solution your product is for problem the customer has).  This point should be very clear, and everything else in the sales pitch should all be tied back to that main point.  For instance, that educational books consultant focuses on her company’s commitment to providing research-backed products recommended by a variety of education experts.  She mentions that this guarantee gives her peace of mind that her children will always be exposed to age-appropriate and stimulating materials.  Each detail of her sales pitch is related to that point.  By the end of the pitch, there should be no question as to what your main point is.

Crafting an effective sales pitch requires time, research, practice, and self-reflection.  However, keep in mind these guidelines for a pitch that will increase your sales.  What do you think makes an effective sales pitch?  Please share your ideas below!

Free e-book “Business Owner’s Road Map to Success.” It has over 50 pages of techniques for everything a small business owner needs to master, from business planning and ethical selling to a success mindset. It’s all there and it’s free for you. To get it, just “Like” our Facebook Page here: http://on.fb.me/KsIN6P Pass it on!

DSEF & CBBB: Get More Money Now

DSEF & CBBB: Get More Money Now

This is the name of a pamphlet published by the BBB some years ago in partnership with the FINRA Investor Education Foundation. It is still helpful today. Who couldn’t use more money, right?

The sad truth is that many of us were not well-educated about how to use money…if we were educated at all. I remember a class in high school called Consumer Economics. All I learned from it was how to properly make out a check! And maybe balance a checkbook.

But how do you save for goals? Handle medical expenses? Improve your home? Pay all your bills? Take care of your student loans? Take care of your pets’ medical expenses? If you’re like me, you’ve already thought about finding a cheaper place to live or brown bagging lunch more often.

Here are some additional tips from the FINRA/BBB publication:

  1. Lighten your load. Pay priority household expenses first, in full.
  2. Take care of bills right away. This will help you avoid fees and penalties and it will improve your credit.
  3. Get rid of high-cost debts. Don’t just pay the minimum balance—pay as much as you can and avoid extra purchases, until the debt is gone.
  4. Don’t max out your credit cards. This hurts your credit rating, and increases interest rates.
  5. Pay the monthly bill for your goal. Decide how much you can afford to spend on your goal. Then put that money aside each month, just like you would for the rent or house payment.
  6. Remember your goal before you spend. Ask yourself: once I get this thing home, will it make me happy? Do I need it or want it? Will it get me closer to my goal? Once you handle basic expenses, try to spend on things that will help you achieve your goal.

And remember, you can keep more of your money by paying attention to the real costs of services. You’ll be singing all the way to the bank if you can avoid:

  • Bounced check fees.
  • Payday loans.
  • Check cashing and wire transfer service fees.
  • Tax refund anticipation loans.

For more tips and resources, check out www.finrafoundation.org and www.bbbmoneyhnow.org.

 

DSEF and Council on Better Business Bureaus (CBBB) fosters honest and responsive relationships between businesses and consumers—instilling consumer confidence and advancing a trustworthy marketplace for all.

Free e-book “Business Owner’s Road Map to Success.” It has over 50 pages of techniques for everything a small business owner needs to master, from business planning and ethical selling to a success mindset. It’s all there and it’s free for you. To get it, just “Like” our Facebook Page here: http://on.fb.me/KsIN6P Pass it on!

About the Better Business Bureaus
As the leader in advancing marketplace trust, Better Business Bureau is an unbiased non-profit organization that sets and upholds high standards for fair and honest business behavior. Every year, more than 87 million consumers rely on BBB Business Reviews® and BBB Wise Giving Reports® to help them find trustworthy businesses and charities across North America. Visitwww.bbb.org/us for more information.

DSEF Academic Engagement

Complete a brief survey to help us identify academic or university connections companywide.

This survey will help us learn more about:

  • The various partnerships each department has with a professor, college or university.
  • The existing connections that our employees may have with a university.
  • How our team can better support or align with these relationships.

Please provide us with the following contact information:

Do you or your department have an ongoing professional partnership or personal relationship with a university, college professor, program or department?