Liability Insurance for Small Business

Posts Tagged ‘small business owner’

We Offer: GUARANTEED ISSUE HEALTH INSURANCE through UnitedHealthCare- one of the nations largest and most recognized providers. One Person Group is a PEO (Professional Employer Organization) with specific goals: saving your time and money- two commodities that todays small business owner cannot afford to squander. We group a bunch of tiny companies together to make a behemoth. We offer several services rolled into one low monthly fee: In addition to Healthcare Benefits, we offer: * AD & D * Life insurance * Workers Compensation * Unemployment * FSA * HSA * and Payroll services One Person Group is able to offer all these services at the low rates that are ordinarily reserved for much larger companies. Just because your company is small does not mean your benefits package should be. Call us today and find out how much time, money and paperwork we can save you! 888-962-5353 (Brad)

I have two daughters, one fifteen years old in high school and the other is 21 and a college student. I am a 49 year old woman and in fair health. My husband is a Vietnam vet in fair health as well and will be eligible for medicare this year, so he will not need this insurance.

If you haven’t heard of article marketing, then you’re missing out on one of the best new ways to market your small business. for more detail go to:www.article-writing-secret.com.Basically, Web-based article marketing services help you to write and polish your own original Web content, and then they work to distribute your original content to publishers throughout the Internet. After that, potential customers who find your content interesting and informative are lead to your Web site through an ‘About the Author’ box, which is attached to each of your articles. As a result of the increased number of clicks to your Web site, your business will soon be moving up in search engine results.

Those are the basics of article marketing; in short, you submit an article to an article marketing service, and wait for customers to come to you. But for a small business owner who is new to generating Web content, the process might not be as easy as it sounds. After all, most small business owners have been too busy running their companies to work on their writing abilities. all of us are lucky enough to have the leisure time to sit tapping away at computers for hours. However, if you’ve been wondering how to market your small business, it’s time to start seriously developing your writing skills.

Before you begin writing your content, the first thing you should do is make a list of topics to write about. These should be issues and ideas in your field. Try looking at Web sites that publish content relating to the service your business provides. Are there gaps in the content on these sites? For more help visit to: www.ezines-success.com.Do you see any articles that you disagree with? If so, start with those topics. Also, simply think about issues and ideas that your customers should be more educated about.

Once you have your list of topics, begin writing. If you look closely at Web articles, you will see that most of them follow a pretty standard formula. First, there is an introduction, which grabs the reader’s attention and introduces the general argument and ideas that the article will elaborate upon. The introduction is essential, as most readers decide whether they will continue reading an article based upon the first paragraph.

After the introduction, one of the best approaches is to elaborate upon your general argument in a point-by-point structure. If it helps, you can make an outline ahead of time, listing each of the major points that support the idea your article wants to convey. Devote a paragraph to each of these points. It may help to think of your article as a journey for the reader. There is a starting point, then various things happen along the way, and finally, the reader ends up in a different place from where she began.

During the middle section of the article, it’s important for all of your points to be as clear and concise as possible. Remember, you don’t want your articles to go over 750 or so words. That is approximately the maximum attention span of most Web readers.

When all of your points have been touched upon, and all of your major arguments have been made, it’s time to write your conclusion. Your conclusion can do a number of things, but most importantly, you must not leave your readers hanging. Whether it’s an article, a novel, or a movie, people don’t like to be left with a sense of inconclusiveness. Even if you do nothing more than restate your original argument in different words, you have to leave the reader feeling satisfied.

Remember, the most important thing is to teach your reader something new. Today’s consumers respect nothing more than informative content. If your article does the job, customers will soon be streaming in to your site. Of course, before that can happen, you must find an article marketing service, many of which are available through all the major search engines. These services can help you polish your articles, and then they will distribute them to content publishers. It’s all very simple, in the end; write, submit, and increase your business.

My husband is looking for a health insurance for his small company (3 employees). He said he heard about some “umbrella” type options like when several companies join under 1 group plan to get lower premiums for their employees. I need to know where to start looking and how to find any health insurance plans like that in Virginia.

Common small business slip-ups

Owning your own business can be rewarding, but commitment, discipline, acumen and capital are important.

 

As a small-business owner, Theresa Gallup has learned “you can’t do it all. Hire the professionals.”

Hire a professional accountant, hire a Web designer, hire anyone who can fill in the blanks you can’t.

You can learn these skills, but the time it will take to learn them and the results are often not worth it, said Gallup, who owns a home-based business, Kimono Designs.

While the majority of small businesses fail in the first five years, some are quite successful. If you’re thinking about starting a home-based business — whether it’s a lawn company or crafting jewelry — there are many things to consider. These professionals share their tips for success and how to avoid common mistakes.

Early mistakes

The advantage of a home-based business is you have a lower entry cost because you don’t need to rent or build a space for your business, said John McKearney, counselor for Service Corps of Retired Executives, a partner of the Small Business Administration that offers free counseling for small businesses.

“If I look at the reason for small-business failures — and this is all small- and home-based business … the major thing people do is they underestimate the need for capital,” McKearney said.

According to the SBA, more than 50 percent of small business fail in the first five years.

The first three years were rough for Gallup.

“I lived extremely meagerly because all the money I made I poured back into the business,” Gallup said.

She advises having three years of income to sustain yourself if you are serious about your business.

Home-based businesses have their own challenges, said Mike DePue, business resources librarian at the Library Center.

One of those challenges is time management and discipline, he said.

Mary Hamilton understands this firsthand.

Hamilton runs Custom Art and Design out of her home. She paints but also creates cards. Last year was a hectic year personally, and she wasn’t as committed to her business. As a small-business owner, you tend to think you can take today off or this week off, she said, but success requires discipline.

Nena Potts, a Rogersville jewelry artist, said one of her earlier mistakes was trying to “reinvent the wheel” with every piece of jewelry.

She learned to find designs that worked, then tweak and redesign.

Keep your business as versatile as possible so you don’t have all your eggs in one basket, Potts said.

She does custom work, shows and wholesale to ensure income all year, instead of seasonal work.

Another thing to decide is how you will accept payment.

Taking credit cards is a real maze to get started, but it’s been a big part of Gallup’s business.

“But there is a fee you pay for that,” she said.

If your product costs more than $20, you should consider taking credit cards, she said.

Another thing to consider is inventory, said DePue.

“How much is the right amount? Any inventory that sits around is money that sits around. ‘How much do I need to keep the business going but not sitting on the shelves gathering dust?’” DePue said.

A business plan is a must, McKearney stressed.

It should include a financial forecast, marketing plan, a checklist of how much money is needed, insurance, etc.

Take advantage of resources for small businesses, such as SCORE or the Small Business Administration.

“I went to SCORE and they put on a one-day program on how to set up a small business, which was extremely helpful to me,” Gallup said.

Before you start a business, make sure you understand the industry, who is succeeding and why, McKearney said.

“The fact that you can be a fantastic quilt maker doesn’t mean you can be successful marketing quilts,” he said.

Marketing, networking

One of Nena Potts’ earliest mistakes was not knowing her market. She found her niche through trial and error.

You have to target your marketing to the right audience, DePue and McKearney echoed.

Some people spend so much time marketing, they don’t produce a quality product.

“On the other side of the spectrum, some people think if their product is quality enough it will sell itself. Any of these problems can sink a business,” DePue said.

A general product might be advertised in a newspaper or radio, but a niche product — such as upscale antiques — needs targeted advertising.

Join trade organizations, Gallup suggested.

Network with other businesses and through the Chamber of Commerce, said Mary Davis, CEO of Missouri Enterprise, which works with the manufacturing industry.

“It gets their name out there and helps them keep up with what’s going on in the business world. Sometimes when you are isolated from others, you don’t recognize what others are concerned about or talking about,” Davis said.

And in this day and age, a Web page is important, Gallup said.

“It’s like having a constant brochure out there. More people find me because of that … it gives you credibility,” she said.

When you need work or services, hire someone local, Hamilton said.

“It’s surprising how much more you get from using local people. Information, friendship,” Hamilton said.

And don’t be afraid to ask questions from professionals or anyone you meet with experience, Hamilton said.

Records and Regulations

Make sure you separate bank accounts for business and personal expenses and keep separate records, too, Davis said.

Keep all receipts and either have an accountant or a computer program that helps you track your expenses.

Before you open your business, meet with an accountant who specializes in small businesses so you know what you need to track, Gallup suggested.

Make sure you understand city, county, state and federal taxes and regulations, DePue said.

Insurance is an important factor that a lot of home-based business owners neglect.

“A lot of people don’t realize this, but a lot of homeowner policies exclude running a home business. Some insurance policies, the fact that you start a business and don’t report it to them, that voids your policy. Talk to your agent,” McKearney said.

You may have to hunt for insurance, Gallup said.

Most of these experts reiterated the fact that you should expect to work harder than you expected to work.

It’s not an easy time to start a business, said Potts.

She followed her passion, but thinks people are better off finding a need that isn’t being met and filling that niche.

If you are following a passion or hobby, you need to remind yourself this is business now.

“They have to be able to tell themselves this is no longer a hobby,” DePue said. “This has dollars and cents implications for my life or my family and I can’t treat this as a hobby any longer.”

Albert Lindenberg

Canyon Leasing

Al.Lindenberg@CanyonLeasing.com

Leasing commercial property can be a challenge to a small business owner who is new to the market.  Small business is the backbone of the economy, so the saying goes.  And if you are building a small business, you know the challenge and the excitement of seeing your business reach the point that you need to lease commercial property or take on a large amount of storage space.  www.WebWarehouse.biz offers you the choice of the different searches. While your commercial property estate agent will only open the doors to buildings he represents, it would help to start by talking to Alan Wick 0845 603 8883 at WebWarehouse. Alan will start with a short list of insider tips of what to look out for as your begin your search for your perfect commercial property.

Location, Location, Location.

That is the old adage about what makes a great retail commercial property.  Location, location, location.  If yours is a retail business that would benefit from a savvy choice of location, then put some time and energy into that part of your search on the Quick Search page of www.webwarehousedirectory.com .  But even if you are not retail, think about where your customers are, what part of town would best serve them.  Do you need quick access to another business like a market or airport?  All of these things can refine your search for the ideal commercial property to lease.

What is going on around here?

Nothing could be more disruptive to your move into your new commercial property than to see it disrupted by a major road renovation or highway expansion in front of the building.  So do some homework to make sure that access to your commercial property is in no danger of being slowed or stopped by building projects or other city improvements.  Further, find out what is going on with the building.  If the roof is in for repair or the plumbing is going to get overhauled, do you really want your new lease to lock you into that nuisance.  So while talking to the landlord, also talk to some people behind the scenes who are “in the know” about your new commercial property location.

How about an RFI?

RFP is a simple acronym for Request for Information.  One way to make sure you get the best deal from your new landlord is use the natural competition of the market to get them working against each other.  Sit down with your solicitor and business advisors and build a wish list of what you want in your new commercial property and the price you want to pay.  Web warehouse offer a bespoke package of Premises, facilities, property management, insurance, security and building work.  All In a simple quarterly rental price. “The new way to procure your business premises”

‘Legalise’.

A commercial property lease is a complicated thing.  Make sure a solicitor you trust is part of your team.  It will cost a bit but it’s worth it to avoid the pitfalls that can be buried in complicated legal mumbo jumbo of a standard commercial property lease. Do your homework and get out there and be a smart and savvy commercial property customer.  The time and energy you put into your preparations will pay you back over and over again when you have settled into the perfect commercial property for your business. Provided by the WebWarehouse team. Give Simon or Alan a call on 0845 603 8883 to discuss any details further.

As a small business owner, you’re certainly feeling the pain of the current economic climate. Whether you call our current situation a recession, a depression, or something else altogether, it’s clear that marketing our businesses to those customers who are still spending money is going to be a key to our business survival. And whether we like it or not, Internet marketing is going to have to be at the heart of any effective new marketing effort.

These days, the trend is strongly in favor of customers turning to the Internet to find the products that they’re looking for, and if they don’t find us (more specifically our websites), they’re going to take their business to someone they do find online. This is becoming increasingly true, even when the customer is looking for local businesses. Given this truth, the rest of this article will describe three things you can do to market your small business online. I will also direct you toward a comprehensive Internet marketing course designed and priced with the small local business in mind. Here are three of the many ways you can increase your small small business marketing on the Internet:

Article Marketing

Article Marketing is a classic approach to Internet Marketing. The concept is simple: you provide online readers with brimming with] useful information, then point them to the product or service you are promoting for more information, typically found at the end of the article in an area called the resource box. As you’ll see by the time you finish reading, this article is an example of Article Marketing. I’m providing you with useful information about how to market your small business on the Internet, then at the end, I direct you toward the comprehensive small business Internet marketing course that I’m promoting. While article marketing can get significantly more sophisticated than that, this is the basic idea.

Social Networking

Do your kids (or perhaps you) spend time using online services like Twitter, Facebook, or LinkedIn? These are all examples of social networking site or services. At the most basic level, you could use social networking by establishing a profile for your business at various locations, in hopes that people who are interested in the kinds of products or services you provide will find it and get in contact with you. As with article marketing, there are many more sophisticated ways to market using social networking, but this is a start.

Blogging

A blog is a form of online journal. While some people use them like personal journals that strangers can read, you can also create a blog where you post useful and informative information that is in some way related to your business. The idea behind this approach is that visitors to the blog will find your useful information, and will feel compelled to return to the blog again and again for new posts. Once you have a group of regular customers, it’s easier to market to these visitors. After all, they have already shown themselves to be interested in what you have to offer, making it relatively easy to convert them into paying customers.

That’s the end of this introduction to three of the more popular and effective ways you can market your business on the Internet. There’s much more you can learn about each of them, plus many other techniques that can help you turn the Internet into your small business marketing ally. Still, to put these techniques into effect quickly and efficiently, you’re going to want some help.

Because of the economic situation today, many people are finding it necessary to develop an alternative source of income.

There have been companies going out of business, downsizing, or laying-off some of their employees. Those fortunate people who are still employed, with good salaries, are wondering what the future may hold for them. There seem to be no guarantees that a job will continue for anyone – from executives to blue-collar workers.

Hector Milla Editor of the “Free Scholarships And Grants” website — http://www.FreeScholarshipsAndGrants.org/free-government-grants-money — pointed out;

“…Many people who are concerned about the possibility of losing their jobs have been considering starting small businesses of their own. Being self-employed is an attractive option for those who would like to be their own bosses. There are many things to think about before taking the plunge to open a business. Funding for the venture would be a major issue to tackle, unless one has already set aside a large amount for that purpose…”

A great alternative to finding investors, or using one’s savings, to establish a business is to apply for a free grant from the government. What would be a better way to open a small business than with free money? The problem is how to find and apply for the right grant for a particular business.

There are companies that specialize in helping people obtain financing through free government grants. The information received from these agencies will assist people to locate the correct grant for a specific situation. After establishing which application would be appropriate, inquirers will have instruction on how to complete the necessary forms and expedite the process. Applying for assistance in becoming a self-employed small business owner can actually be easy with the right advice.

“…People that have tried to apply for grants without help, and found them to be extremely complex and difficult, will be amazed at the simplicity of the procedure if they have competent assistance from a qualified helpful company dealing in government grants…” added H. Milla.

Further information about trusted and reputable sources for government grants by visiting; http://www.FreeScholarshipsAndGrants.org/free-government-grants-money

Being a sole trader or the owner of a small business you need to protect your occupation. As a small business owner, cost and expert help may well be imperative to you when you buy any kind of insurance. Most of the times you might not have the time or the experience to look at the various kinds of insurance options that are available to you and, to be frank, a lot of policies may well be embattled at bigger businesses besides which mean that you pay for cover you might not really need. So the best insurance for a sole trader is none other than tradesman insurance. However there are lots of insurances covered here like tradesman liability insurance, tools insurance and employers’ liability insurance.

Tradesman liability insurance covers an extensive range of trades and anyone whether working from a place of business outside of the home or whether you work from home needs to be covered properly. Even if you work as tradesmen, persistently working on site or in someone else’s premises then you may be required to arrange the cover in order to satisfy your main contractor. 

However one of the main reasons why folks who run businesses choose to take out tradesman liability insurance is merely to get additional protection. But with tradesman insurance this may not mean that you have to find the money out of your own pocket or out of your business profits. On of the best ways to judge whether you need tradesman liability insurance is to think about the worst that might happen. What would you do, for example, if you were working on a construction site and the person you were working slipped of from one of the floors and broke their leg? Could you manage to pay legal costs and compensation if they took your business to court and sued you?

The fact is that this can happen. People are more set to sue over this kind of thing these days than ever before. So, taking some time to choose and buy public liability insurance might simply give you the financial shield you need for you and your business if this kind of thing does happen.

I’m a small business owner who can not afford any health insurance and is considering to work for a big corporation part time just to have health insurance. If the Obama plan takes into effect, will it still be worth it for me to work part time just to get health insurance and save money or it won’t make any difference since as a small business owner I’ld still have to get health insurance.