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Get Connected Issue 134 -- Click Here For The Entire Contents

  • Get Bonded
    Lots of small service and construction businesses need a surety bond to be able to attract contracts from the public as well as the private sector. And the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) can help with its Surety Bond Guarantee Program.

  • Recall Advantage
    Small retailers might be able to use the recent product recalls to their advantage. Many consumers are now trying to avoid foreign-made products and are actively looking for products made in the U.S.

  • Just Around The Corner
    Small-business employers will face a pile of tax reports come January. But Business.gov makes finding and filing tax forms easier.


  • Conference To-Dos
    The next time you attend a business or industry conference, make the most of the occasion by following these three tips.  


Get Connected Issue 133 -- Click Here For The Entire Contents

  • Show Your Cards
    So many business credit cards to choose from, so little time. Get help comparing your credit card to others – and see your potential savings. You can do it for free at CreditCardClients.com.

  • Reduce Incoming E-Mail
    Chances are, over the years you’ve been in business, you’ve subscribed to a load of e-mail communications such as industry-specific newsletters, small-business newsletters, government alerts, and more.

  • Leased Vehicle Deduction
    Small-business owners who use a vehicle for business can either deduct actual expenses for operating the vehicle or use the standard mileage rate deduction – but not both.


  • Be Safe
    You know the importance of storing business documents in a fire-proof safe. But is your safe large enough or strong enough?  


Get Connected Issue 132 -- Click Here For The Entire Contents

  • Free Legal Help
    When you need general legal guidance for your small business, check out FindLaw For Small Business. The Web site offers authoritative articles on a wide range of business topics – and the articles are free.

  • The Envelope Please
    One of the big hurdles in successful direct mail is to get recipients to open your envelope. And to accomplish that, you’ve got to grab attention. Here are some tips.

  • EIN Online
    The IRS now lets taxpayers request an Employer Identification Number (EIN) through a Web-based system that instantly processes requests and generates identification numbers in real time.


  • Protect Your Business Stuff
    Your prized business possessions often aren’t covered from loss by your automobile insurance. Be sure you’re covered.  


Get Connected Issue 131 -- Click Here For The Entire Contents

  • Going Green
    Being environmentally friendly isn’t just good for Mother Earth. It can also be a boost for your small business. Find out how going green can help you attract customers and employees with the online Success Skills Seminar How To Green Up Your Small Business.

  • Another Home Office Benefit
    Want another good reason to do business from a home office? How about traffic jams?

  • Another Scam Alert
    The IRS has issued another consumer alert regarding a new, two-step e-mail scam that falsely promises recipients they will receive $80 for participating in an online customer satisfaction survey.


  • Messy Accounting
    Many small-business owners make the mistake of using business checking accounts to pay for personal items. Or worse, an entrepreneur uses a single account to pay for both business and personal expenses.  


Get Connected Issue 130 -- Click Here For The Entire Contents

  • Test Your Banner Ads
    To find out if your banner ads can pull interest and click-throughs, test them on your own Web site first. Try different ads and see which pulls the most response.

  • Trick Or Treat!
    Good news for small retailers who want to stock their shelves with Halloween tricks and treats. According to the National Retail Federation’s Halloween Consumer Intentions and Actions Survey, the average person is planning to spend $64.82 on the holiday compared to $59.06 last year.

  • Hard Hat Tax Gap
    Not reporting or under-reporting business income contributes to the tax gap – the difference between the amount of tax that taxpayers should pay and the amount that is paid voluntarily and on time. To help small-business owners in the construction industry understand their tax responsibilities – and narrow the tax gap – the IRS offers a fact sheet.


  • Set The Right Price
    It’s time to hike prices. But you don’t want customers to abandon your services. Follow these three steps before increasing your fees.  


Get Connected Issue 129 -- Click Here For The Entire Contents

  • Get Business Permits
    The Business.gov Web site has a new feature to help small-business owners obtain federal, state and local permits and professional licenses.

  • Sign ‘Em Up
    The first step to building online relationships with existing and potential customers is to capture their e-mail addresses. And the best place to do that is on your Web site.

  • IRS Phone Forums
    Small businesses can get helpful tax information from monthly phone forums (conference calls) sponsored by the IRS. The phone forums are free and convenient – you can call in from the comfort of your home or office.


  • Stay Informed
    Keeping up with the latest trends in your industry can give you a competitive advantage. You’ll be able to identify and react to market changes as well keep tabs on your competitors. Here are five ways to stay informed.  


Get Connected Issue 128 -- Click Here For The Entire Contents

  • Jan Norman's Blog
    Small-business columnist and author Jan Norman is now a blogger, too. At her new blog, Jan Norman on Small Business, you can catch important small-business stories.

  • Green Teens
    Small businesses that sell to the teenage market should target “green teens,” youngsters between the ages of 13 and 17 who have an appreciation for the environment.

  • New Tax-Exempt Filing
    Small tax-exempt organizations that were previously not required to file a return may be required to file an annual electronic notice next year.


  • Rave Reviews
    Small businesses can pump up online sales by using customer reviews on their Web sites. Give your satisfied customers the opportunity to rate and review your products and services. Post those on your Web site to encourage potential customers to make a purchase.  


Get Connected Issue 127 -- Click Here For The Entire Contents

  • Buy Wholesale
    If your small business needs to buy wholesale products, Wholesale.com is the marketplace for you.

  • Sharing Bad News
    When bad things happen to your small business, remember to keep your employees in the loop.

  • Section 179 Expanded
    CCH, a leading provider of tax information, reports that small businesses will benefit from the recently enacted Small Business and Work Opportunity Tax Act of 2007.


  • Home Office Insurance
    The federal minimum wage increased to $5.85 per hour as of July 24, 2007. That means you might need an updated Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) Minimum Wage Poster.  


Get Connected Issue 126 -- Click Here For The Entire Contents

  • Letter Writing Help
    If you get tongue-tied when it’s time to write a business letter, there’s a Web site just for your. Business Letter Templates offers more than 3,000 business letter templates in 58 different categories.

  • Your Golden Years
    Most entrepreneurs are on their own when it comes to planning for retirement. And many are making mistakes. The New Jersey Society of Certified Public Accountants reports two major errors people make.

  • Estimated Taxes
    If you’re a sole proprietor, partner or S corporation shareholder, you may have to pay estimated taxes. To learn more about estimated taxes, check out the Estimated Taxes article from the IRS.


  • Sales Letter Fix
    If your sales letters aren’t pulling in responses, maybe you need to get personal.  


Get Connected Issue 125 -- Click Here For The Entire Contents

  • Hooking Up
    Want to talk to a real, live human being the next time you call a company’s customer service phone number? Then go to GetHuman.com before you pick up the phone.

  • Outlast The Competition
    When one of your competitors goes out of business, don’t celebrate. Instead, get busy capturing the competitor’s customers for your own small business.

  • Tax Workshops
    The IRS offers nationwide Small Business Tax Workshops designed to help entrepreneurs understand and fulfill their federal tax responsibilities.


  • Retaining Retail Employees
    In a recent CareerBuiler.com survey, nearly half of retail employers said that retaining employees is getting harder. In fact, 81 percent of survey respondents reported that they’re planning to hire new employees during 2007. Rosemary Haefner, vice president of human resources at CareerBuilder.com, offers two tips to improve recruitment efforts.  


Get Connected Issue 124 -- Click Here For The Entire Contents

  • Hide Those Cords
    Tame all of the electrical cords in your home office with the Cord Control Kit from The Container Store.

  • 90-Day Marketing
    Jay Lipe, CEO of Emerge Marketing, offers this marketing tip for small businesses.

  • Tax Records
    Now’s the time to pay attention to your record keeping if you want to avoid headaches next April. Accurate record keeping will help you sort transactions and deductions you make during the year, which will make tax filing easier.


  • Fund Your Startup
    If you’re looking for money to fund your startup business, chances are you’ll find the dollars in your own pocket.  


Get Connected Issue 123 -- Click Here For The Entire Contents

  • Charge Up
    So many gadgets. So little time to keep them charged up. Enter the Charging Valet from Brookstone.

  • Target Your List
    With e-mail marketing campaigns, the more you target your message, the better response you’ll get.

  • Phony IRS E-Mails
    The IRS is alerting taxpayers to the latest e-mail scam.


  • Ditch The Hype
    When you’re trying to get publicity for your small business, don’t go overboard. Reporters want the truth, not the hype. Don’t inflate your sales numbers.  


Get Connected Issue 122 -- Click Here For The Entire Contents

  • Find Suppliers
    Small-business retailers who need wholesale suppliers for products should check out ProductBlazer.

  • Sell Your Value
    Don’t fight the low-price wars. Instead, boost your profits by selling to customers who appreciate – and are willing to pay for – the value of your services or products.

  • Self-Employment Taxes
    Self-employment tax is a Social Security and Medicare tax primarily for individuals who work for themselves. If you’re a new sole proprietor, you need to know all you can about how and when to pay self-employment taxes.


  • Subject Line Test
    Not sure which of two subject lines is strongest for your e-mail marketing campaign? Test them both.  


Get Connected Issue 121 -- Click Here For The Entire Contents

  • Homework
    Get the small-business training you need without ever leaving your desk. It’s easy with online courses from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA).

  • Tech No-No
    Got your eyes set on a new server or the latest software upgrade? Before you buy, run the numbers. If the technology you want can’t help you decrease costs or increase profits, why spend the money?

  • Sole Prop Taxes
    In trying to clear up some of the tax confusion for sole proprietors, the IRS has released a fact sheet about deducting “other” business expenses on Schedule C, Profit or Loss from Business. Although many common expenses are deducted on designated lines of Schedule C, some expenses may not fit into a particular category.


  • Trade Show Schmoozing
    The trade show floor isn’t the only place to meet hot prospects. The next time you go to a trade show or convention, look for folks who are wearing their show badges, then strike up a conversation. Check out these four places for meeting people.

 

Get Connected Issue 120 -- Click Here For The Entire Contents

  • Squeaky Clean
    Scared of germs on your desktop? Check out the Wireless Laser Mouse with Nano Coating Technology from IOGEAR.

  • Specific E-Mails
    When blasting out an e-mail marketing campaign or sending an e-newsletter, make sure your subject line does its job.

  • New IRS Publication
    A new publication from the IRS might make light reading for small-business owners.


  • Don’t Goof Up
    First impressions count, especially in business. So the next time you’re out schmoozing potential clients, don’t make a blunder. Here are five ways you can blow a good first impression.

 

Get Connected Issue 119 -- Click Here For The Entire Contents

  • Find Employees
    Now you’ve got a way to find people who want to work for a small business instead of a large corporation.  JobKite.com is a major online job board that promotes jobs available at small businesses with fewer than 100 employees.

  • Check E-Mail Every Day
    If you’re not checking and responding to your business e-mail every day, you’re probably missing opportunities.

  • The Official IRS Site
    The IRS is reminding taxpayers that the address of the official IRS government Web site is www.irs.gov.

  • Postage Rate Increase
    On May 14, you’ll start paying more to mail a first class letter. The new rate is 41 cents. But, you’ll be able to protect your pocketbook from future rate increases by buying a new “forever” stamp.
     


Get Connected Issue 118 -- Click Here For The Entire Contents

Get Connected Issue 117 -- Click Here For The Entire Contents

  • Fleet Management
    If your small business is in the market for some used vehicles, beware. A 2007 study by Carfax, which provides consumers with vehicle information history, showed that waves of flood damaged cars are washing up in areas all across the country.

  • Improve Your Elevator Pitch
    An elevator pitch is a quick statement that tells a stranger who you are and what you do. The theory is that you have 30 seconds (about the length of an elevator ride) to make a memorable impression.

  • Hit By The AMT?
    The IRS has updated its online tool to help taxpayers determine whether they may owe the Alternative Minimum Tax (AMT) on their personal tax returns.

  • Increase Ad Responses
    Try this trick when you need to write the copy for your small-business ad: Every time you’re tempted to write “we” or “me,” write “you” instead.
     


Get Connected Issue 116 -- Click Here For The Entire Contents

  • Cash For Phones
    Don’t trash your old cell phone when you latch on to the latest model. Some online sites are willing to pay you from $2 to $200 for a working phone that you no longer need.

  • Early Time Change
    Mark your calendar now. The change to daylight-saving time happens on March 11 this year. That’s three weeks earlier than most people are expecting.

  • Two Extra Days
    Taxpayers across the nation will have until Tuesday, April 17, 2007, to file their 2006 returns and pay any taxes due.

  • Ad Agency Tips
    Before you plunk down a check to hire an advertising agency, follow these four tips.
     


Get Connected Issue 115 -- Click Here For The Entire Contents

  • Know Your Customers
    Building a customer database is a great way to get to know your customers’ preferences. You can include data that tracks purchases, demographic data, contact information, inquiries and more.

  • Find Suppliers
    Some distributors and wholesales thumb their noses at small-business customers. Those suppliers don’t want to take the time and energy to process your $200 order when they could be taking big-business orders for $10,000.

  • Faster Refunds
    Want to get your 2006 federal income tax refund in a jiffy? Then file your tax return electronically.

  • Demographic Targeting
    The majority of your customers may be made up of a specific demographic group. For example, your client base might be mostly Asian or over age 65 or women.
     


Get Connected Issue 114 -- Click Here For The Entire Contents

  • Flash Wristband
    Here’s a new way to promote your small business: customized USB flash wristbands from Imation.

  • Get Free Publicity In USA TODAY
    The nation’s biggest newspaper is giving small-business owners the opportunity to get free publicity.

  • New Rules For Giving
    For the 2007 tax year, you’ll have to provide bank records or other information when claiming deductions for charitable donations of money.

  • Entrepreneurial Education
    If you – or a young entrepreneur in your family – want a smart business education, check out one of the nine universities that received grants from the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation.
     


Get Connected Issue 113 -- Click Here For The Entire Contents

  • Get A TV Spot
    Don’t think that television advertising is too expensive for your small business. Go to Spot Runner, a Los Angeles-based company that produces digital ads you can use on local cable TV networks.

  • Can’t Get A Loan?
    If banks have been turning you down for a small-business loan, your accounts receivable might be the deal breaker.

  • Telephone Tax Refund
    Anyone who paid the long-distance telephone tax will get the refund on their 2006 federal income tax return.

  • Resolve To Reduce Stress
    If you’re not working to reduce stress for your employees, your small business will suffer. In a Pew Research Center survey conducted in 2006, 69 percent of workers said job stress is worse than it was a decade ago.
     


Get Connected Issue 112 -- Click Here For The Entire Contents

  • Make A Million
    Women entrepreneurs can get some serious business help from Make Mine A Million. Launched in 2006, the initiative supports the growth of women-owned businesses with less than $1 million in revenue.

  • Keep It Short
    Don’t send novel-length e-mails to customers during your next marketing campaign. Many readers skip long e-mails, opting to read shorter ones.

  • Tax Crackdown On Small Businesses
    Some small businesses felt the tax pinch from the IRS in 2006. The agency increased S corporation audits by 34 percent.

  • Holiday Leftovers
    Online retailers have a new holiday term to remember from the 2006 shopping season: “eFriday.”
     


Get Connected Issue 111 -- Click Here For The Entire Contents

  • Get Yourself Certified
    Are you a management consultant looking to land a fat contract with a blue chip company?

  • Cut Costs
    Every dollar you save in business expenses goes directly to your bottom line. So, cutting costs can improve profits immediately.

  • Payroll Taxes For New Hires
    For any new employee you hire, you’ll need to determine how much payroll tax to withhold. IRS Publication 15, Circular E, Employer’s Tax Guide, has all of the answers you’ll need.

  • You’ve Got Four Seconds
    Four seconds is the maximum length of time an average online shopper will wait for a Web page to load before potentially abandoning a retail site.
     


Get Connected Issue 110 -- Click Here For The Entire Contents

  • You And Your CPA
    First-time business owners should take a look at the book “The New Entrepreneur: What Your CPA Wants You to Know” (AuthorHouse, 2006).

  • ATM Fees
    Want to save a few bucks every month for your small business? Reduce the number of your ATM transactions.

  • Mileage Rates For 2007
    Small-businesses that use the optional standard mileage rate to calculate the deductible costs of operating a vehicle got good news recently from the IRS.

  • Media Matters
    Media coverage is free and gives your small business credibility. So, when you get interviewed by a journalist for an article in a newspaper or magazine, jump for joy.
     


Get Connected Issue 109 -- Click Here For The Entire Contents

  • Find An Intern Online
    When small-business owners want to hire an intern, they traditionally look for candidates through local colleges and universities, trade associations or even local high schools.

  • Changing Banks
    Ready to move your business banking to a new financial institution? Better make a plan. Changing banks requires more than just moving your money.

  • Seasonal Employers
    Even if you have no regular employees, you must complete IRS Form 941, Employer’s Quarterly Federal Tax Return, during those quarters when you hire and pay wages to seasonal employees.

  • Credit Card Facts
    Using that plastic when business cash gets short? Spend carefully. Here are four facts you should know before you put that next purchase on a credit card.
     


Get Connected Issue 108 -- Click Here For The Entire Contents

  • Quick Business Tips
    Get great business tips without wasting time. The SCORE Web site offers its Top 5 Tips on various subjects, ranging from business planning and finance to taxes and marketing.

  • Holiday Retail
    Retailers can expect a subdued holiday shopping season, says the National Retail Federation (NRF).

  • New IRS Collection Program
    The IRS is starting its private debt collection initiative, meaning that a small segment of taxpayers who owe back taxes will be contacted by private sector debt collectors.

  • RSVP Manners
    With holiday invitations about to arrive, here’s what you need to know about handling RSVPs like a pro.
     


Get Connected Issue 107 -- Click Here For The Entire Contents

  • Get Financing
    Tired of maxing out your credit cards to finance your small business? Can’t get a bank interested in giving you a loan? Then check out these two alternatives.

  • Leash Those Laptops
    Last May, burglars lifted a laptop computer from the home of a data analyst at the Department of Veterans Affairs.

  • Installment Payments
    Don’t have the dough to pay your federal income taxes? The IRS offers an installment plan that lets you make monthly payments.

  • Blasted By Bloggers?
    If bloggers get angry and verbally attack your small business, how should you respond?
     


Get Connected Issue 106 -- Click Here For The Entire Contents

  • Get A Google Coupon
    Now your small business can offer coupons online with Google Maps. When consumers use Google Maps to search for a type of business in a specific geographic location, your coupon can appear next to your business listing.

  • Sweaty Billboards
    The ubiquitous sweatshirt turns 80 this year. What better time to put the favorite clothing to work for your small business?

  • An Expensive Offer
    An offer in compromise (OIC) is an agreement between a taxpayer and the IRS that resolves the taxpayer’s tax debt.

  • Start Up For $10,000
    It doesn’t take big bucks to start your own business. A Wells Fargo/Gallup Small Business Index from August 2006 found that on average, an entrepreneur needs $10,000 to launch an enterprise.
     


Get Connected Issue 105 -- Click Here For The Entire Contents

  • Exit Strategy
    You built your small business from the ground up. Now, it’s time to sell. The Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation can help you prepare for that final sale.

  • Let Them Eat Cake
    Show your employees appreciation the easy way – give them birthday cakes.

  • Tax Deadline
    If you filed an extension for your 2005 federal tax return, a deadline looms: Your return will be due on Oct. 16, 2006.

  • E-Mail Promotions
    When’s the best time to send e-mails that promote your small-business services and products?
     


Get Connected Issue 104 -- Click Here For The Entire Contents

  • Women In Biz
    Women who own small businesses might want to check out the U.S. Women’s Chamber of Commerce.

  • Watch Consumer Spending
    Could high gasoline prices put a ding in your small-business sales? Maybe. A recent survey by The Boston Consulting Group found that 76 percent of Americans believe gas prices will rise over the coming months, with 48 percent believing it’s possible gas will hit $5.50 a gallon.

  • Don’t Deduct These Donations
    If you’ve amassed thousands of airline miles or hotel reward points, you can donate them to many charities.

  • Bank Roll
    Most small-business owners stash their cash in a bank checking account that’s federally insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC).
     


Get Connected Issue 103 -- Click Here For The Entire Contents

  • Minority Business Help
    The U.S. Department of Commerce offers minority business owners assistance through the Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA).

  • Just The Stats
    The next time you send a press release about your small business to the media, don’t forget to include a list of statistics, or stats.

  • Get A Tax Credit
    A tax credit is a dollar-for-dollar reduction for taxes owed. Sound appealing?

  • Get A Government Contract
    For the first time in history, small businesses received a record-breaking $79.6 billion in federal prime contracts in fiscal year 2005, $10 billion more than the year before, the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) reported in June.
     


Get Connected Issue 102 -- Click Here For The Entire Contents

  • Hone Your Win-Win Skills
    New and veteran small-business owners alike can sharpen their negotiation skills with a collection articles from Kauffman eVenturing.

  • Present The Unexpected
    The next time you prepare to make a presentation, go for the surprise factor. Find one or two little-known facts or compelling pieces of information that will grab your audience’s attention.

  • File W-2c Online
    Employers who need to file IRS Form W-2c, Corrected Wage and Tax Statement, can now do it online.

  • Employee Ethics
    Small-business employees face ethical dilemmas every day. It’s your job as the boss to ensure integrity in the workplace and to encourage ethical behavior.
     


Get Connected Issue 101 -- Click Here For The Entire Contents

  • Online Tool For Retailers
    Independent retailers with a bricks-and-mortar store now have help marketing their products online. StepUp Commerce is an Internet local shopping service that boasts roughly 5,000 independent retail stores nationwide as subscribers.

  • Trivia Marketing
    Use industry trivia to give your marketing a twist and grab attention. Find some facts about your industry.

  • More Options For Refund Deposits
    Recently the IRS announced the creation of a program to allow taxpayers who use direct deposit to divide their refunds in up to three financial accounts.

  • You’re Not Alone
    Don’t feel like you’re the only one feeling the pinch of higher gasoline prices. A recent survey by DollarDays International, an Internet-based product wholesaler to small businesses, found that 86 percent of its customers expect a negative effect on their revenues as a result of increased gas prices.
     


Get Connected Issue 100 -- Click Here For The Entire Contents

Get Connected Issue 99 -- Click Here For The Entire Contents

  • Letters To The Editor
    Maybe you can’t get quoted in a magazine or write a column for your local newspaper. But you can always drop a letter to the editor in response to anything you read in publications.

  • Budget More For Vacation
    Better fatten up your wallet before you take off on vacation this year. The AAA Annual Vacation Costs survey found that the overall cost for getting away is increasing by 5.4 percent over last year.

  • Tax Cuts Extended
    Small-business owners have three more years to benefit from increased expensing limits under Section 179.

  • Help Employees Save On Gas
    You’re not the only one feeling pain at the gas pump. Your employees are spending more too in their commutes to and from the office. Show them you sympathize – and give them some help.
     


Get Connected Issue 98 -- Click Here For The Entire Contents

  • Avoid Knee Jerks
    The next time you pack for an airplane trip, take some Knee Defenders along. These small devices protect your knees when the passenger sitting in front of you becomes an aggressive seat recliner.

  • Sweet Dreams
    The National Sleep Foundation’s annual Sleep in America survey consistently finds that Americans don’t get enough sleep.

  • IRS Notices
    Don’t panic if you get a letter from the IRS. The agency sends millions of notices to taxpayers each year.

  • Networking In Kansas
    Entrepreneurs in Kansas should check out the new Web site NetWork Kansas, www.networkkansas.com, provided by the Kansas Center for Entrepreneurship.
     


Get Connected Issue 97 -- Click Here For The Entire Contents

  • Generation Y Entrepreneurs
    If you’re under the age of 25 and want to launch your own business, there’s a Web site just for you, www.gen-y.org.

  • More E-Mails Opened On Friday
    Small businesses that depend on e-mail campaigns to communicate with customers should consider Friday for send out day.

  • Gone Phishing
    The Internal Revenue Service has established an electronic mailbox for taxpayers to send information about suspicious e-mails they receive which claim to come from the IRS.

  • Be Prepared
    Is your small business prepared for an emergency? Probably not. That’s why the U.S. Department of Homeland Security launched its Ready Business campaign to focus on small and mid-size businesses.
     


Get Connected Issue 96 -- Click Here For The Entire Contents

  • Virtual Meetings
    With gasoline prices soaring and airline service tanking, now might be a good time to invest in online Web conferencing.

  • Hire Seniors
    If you’re having trouble finding top talent for your small business, give seniors a try. They bring experience developed from years in the workforce.

  • Track Your Tax Refund
    If you filed a complete and accurate paper tax return, your refund should be issued in about six to eight weeks from the date the IRS receives your return.

  • Direct Mail Checklist
    To boost response rates on your direct mail campaigns, try including a checklist for customers.
     


Get Connected Issue 95 -- Click Here For The Entire Contents

  • Online Biz Training
    Need small-business training, but don’t have time to leave your home office? Check out SCORE, “Counselors to America’s Small Business.”

  • Love & Money
    Six out of 10 marriages in the U.S. end in divorce. Entrepreneurial couples would be wise to take this fact into consideration when developing their business plans.

  • 2006 Tax Returns
    It’s never too early to start planning for tax time.

  • Go Local Online
    Locally-targeted online advertising is experiencing a boom that may last for several more years.
     


Get Connected Issue 94 -- Click Here For The Entire Contents

  • All About Franchises
    Entrepreneurs interested in buying a franchise should stop by the Web site www.franmarket.com.

  • Under Pressure
    When you’re interviewing job candidates for your small business, you need to know how potential employees will act under pressure.

  • Check Your Math
    Want to avoid the No. 1 mistake taxpayers make on their income tax returns? Then check your math.

  • Multicultural Prediction
    Yankelovich Inc., the respected marketing consultancy in Chapel Hill, N.C., predicts that in 2006 U.S.
     


Get Connected Issue 93 -- Click Here For The Entire Contents

  • Online Safety Net
    The federal government and the technology industry have pooled their knowledge to help you protect your business and personal information in the cyber world.

  • Get Paid Faster
    A little incentive can be a big boost to your small-business cash flow.

  • Easy Taxes
    Sole proprietors may be able to get off easy this tax-filing season.

  • Pricing Pressure
    The difficulty of passing rising costs on to customers is a primary concern for the leaders of smaller U.S. companies, according to the Merrill Lynch Smaller Firms Survey released in January.
     


Get Connected Issue 92 -- Click Here For The Entire Contents

  • Friends In High Places
    There are resources to help you in every step of building a business. You just have to know where to look

  • Risky Business
    Replace with “Every small business faces financial risks. Don’t wait until a crisis arises to plan for financial trouble. Develop a contingency plan now.

  • Tax Stop
    Before you sit down to wrestle with your small-business taxes, check out the IRS Web site Small Business and Self-Employed One-Stop Resource at www.irs.gov/businesses/small/index.html.

  • Giving Thanks
    The next time you want to show gratitude to a client, give them an inexpensive gift: a small notepad, a pen, a magnet.
     


Get Connected Issue 91 -- Click Here For The Entire Contents

  • For Women Entrepreneurs
    Last month the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) launched a new Web portal for women business owners.

  • Making Contact
    Your small-business press release might be the best ever written. But if media folks can’t find your contact information in a hurry, you could lose their attention.

  • Hurricane Tax Laws
    The IRS has issued a new publication explaining changes to the tax law and relief provisions available to those affected by Hurricanes Katrina, Rita and Wilma.

  • Crunching Numbers
    Just because you were lousy at math doesn’t mean you should avoid the financial details of your small business.
     


Get Connected Issue 90 -- Click Here For The Entire Contents

  • Weighing Your Nest Egg
    Small-business owners who want to see if they’re saving enough for retirement can turn to online calculators for help.

  • Sticky-Fingered Employees
    Post-it Notes and pens are the favorite items for employees who pilfer an employer’s supply cabinet.

  • Scam Warning
    Don’t get scammed or phished while preparing and filing your business taxes this year.

  • Healthy & Happy
    Want to keep your employees healthy and happy? Offer wellness benefits.
     


Get Connected Issue 89 -- Click Here For The Entire Contents

  • Teen Entrepreneurs
    If you’re a teenage entrepreneur – or you have one at home – check out the new Web site Teen Business Link at www.sba.gov/teens.

  • Photo ID
    Displaying your photo on your business card will help prospects remember you.

  • Bigger Gifts
    Inflation adjustments made by the IRS for the 2006 tax year show that taxpayers will be able to give away more gift money.

  • Shoplifting On The Rise
    Shoplifting didn’t end with the 2005 holiday season. Unfortunately for retailers, shoplifting is on the rise according to a recent study by the University of Florida.
     


Get Connected Issue 88 -- Click Here For The Entire Contents

  • Plan For 2006
    Jump-start your new year by reviewing – or creating – your business plan. It’s easier than you think, and we’ve got a free tool to help.

  • Look Sharp
    Look organized when you go shopping for a business loan. Lenders pay more attention to borrowers that present a well-organized package.

  • New IRA Limits
    Your individual retirement account (IRA) can get a boost this year.

  • Online Decline
    Are your online sales declining? Maybe shoppers just don’t feel safe on your Web site. An IBM survey during the 2005 holiday shopping season found that consumers fear identity theft and credit card fraud when shopping online.
     


Get Connected Issue 87 -- Click Here For The Entire Contents

  • Free Biz Templates
    No need to reinvent a wheel – or a business form. SCORE, “Counselors to America’s Small Business,” offers free business templates to help make your tasks easier.

  • Don’t Go Postal
    Small businesses can’t seem to get a break. First gas prices went through the roof.

  • Clean Auto Deduction
    The IRS has certified the model year 2006 Ford Escape Hybrid and the 2006 Mercury Mariner Hybrid vehicles as being eligible for the clean-burning fuel deduction.

  • Go Get A Loan
    Small businesses in areas affected by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita will be eligible for a new U.S. Small Business Administration-backed loan of up to $150,000.
     


Get Connected Issue 86 -- Click Here For The Entire Contents

  • Web Site Check
    Is your small-business Web site getting all the clicks you need? Probably not.

  • Don’t Be A Scrooge
    Business owners are planning to open their wallets a little wider this holiday season according to a survey by OPEN from American Express (SM).

  • Should You Incorporate?
    Plenty of small-business owners think that incorporating their companies will give them a generous tax break.

  • Sticker Shock
    Still feeling the pinch at the gas pump? You’re not alone.
     


Get Connected Issue 85 -- Click Here For The Entire Contents

  • Startup Workbooks
    SCORE “Counselors to America’s Small Business” and The Company Corporation® have released new editions of educational workbooks on starting a business and selecting a business structure.

  • FedEx Ups Rates
    FedEx announced last month that it will increase the net average shipping costs for FedEx Express by 3.5 percent.

  • Watch Those Gifts
    Before you shop-till-you-drop for business gifts this holiday season, keep in mind these two facts about legitimate tax deductions for gift giving

  • Privacy Please
    If you haven’t yet posted your privacy policy on your small business Web site, take action today before the holiday shopping rush.
     


Get Connected Issue 84 -- Click Here For The Entire Contents

  • Seeking Hot Spots
    Road weary Wi-Fi users will get a little pep from the Iogear Wireless Hotspot Finder.

  • Media Matters
    When a TV, magazine or newspaper reporter interviews you for a story, be sure to get yourself identified correctly.

  • Hurricane Wilma Tax Relief
    Victims of Hurricane Wilma will get tax relief from the IRS. Deadlines for affected taxpayers to file returns, pay taxes and perform other time-sensitive acts have been postponed to Feb. 28, 2006, the same date granted to taxpayers affected by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita.

  • Retail Promotions
    High gas prices at the pump will not keep retailers from offering free shipping this holiday season. That’s the finding of the “2005 Shop.org/BizRate Research Online Holiday Mood Study,” conducted by BizRate Research, a division of Shopzilla. Inc.
     


Get Connected Issue 83 -- Click Here For The Entire Contents

  • Welcome To The Neighborhood
    If your small business aims to make customers out of new residents in a neighborhood, then check out www.movingtargets.com.

  • Doing Biz With Uncle Sam
    The U.S. Small Business Administration reports that U.S. small businesses reaped a record $69.23 billion in federal prime contracts in 2004.

  • You’ll Pay More Interest
    Better figure your federal taxes correctly. The IRS announced that it will increase interest rates for the fourth quarter of 2005.

  • Get Into The HUBZone
    Small businesses affected by the military’s Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) Commission can receive an economic boost from the U.S. Small Business Administration’s HUBZone program.
     


Get Connected Issue 82 -- Click Here For The Entire Contents

  • Stop Copycats
    Don’t let online plagiarizers steal your Web content. At www.copyscape.com, you can search for copycats that might have created Web pages remarkably similar to the pages on your Web site.

  • Promote Your Web Site
    Too many small-business owners miss out on a simple way to promote their Web sites: Signs on their vehicles.

  • Mileage Rate Increase
    In September the IRS announced an increase to the optional standard mileage rates for the last four months of 2005.

  • Getting Through A Disaster
    Need help rebuilding your small business after Hurricanes Katrina or Rita? Turn to SCORE. SCORE has stepped up its outreach to the small-business community nationwide in response to the hurricanes.
     


Get Connected Issue 81 -- Click Here For The Entire Contents

  • Quick Wisdom
    Got five minutes for some entrepreneurial inspiration? Get a copy of the book “Outrageous Optimism: Wisdom for the Entrepreneurial Journey” (Corbett Publishing, 2004).

  • Global Measurements
    Before you list product dimensions in your advertisements or on your Web site, be sure you’re speaking in measurements that your customers will understand.

  • S Corps Look Out!
    The IRS is giving fair warning to S corporation owners. The agency recently announced that it’s targeting S corporations for audits.

  • Girl Power
    If your small business wants to tap the teen market, focus on teenage girls. They’ve got the buying power.
     


Get Connected Issue 80 -- Click Here For The Entire Contents

  • Name This Biz
    Need a name for your new company, service or product? Get help from marketing guru Marsha Yudkin.

  • I Love LA
    The Small Business Technology Institute (SBTI), a non-profit organization dedicated to technology education among small businesses, is inviting women entrepreneurs in the Los Angeles area to apply for SheBusiness.

  • Tax Burden
    Tired of being overwhelmed with business taxes? You’re not alone.

  • Hurricane Disaster Help
    Small-business owners whose companies were hit by Hurricane Katrina may be eligible for disaster loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA).
     


Get Connected Issue 79 -- Click Here For The Entire Contents

  • Real-Life Finance Advice
    Small-business owners who need capital and financing should look to Jan Norman’s new book as a guide.

  • Cash Flow Tip
    If your cash flow is in a crunch, try making a budget that shows incoming cash and outgoing cash.

  • Tax Deadline Approaching
    Chances are, you pay quarterly estimated taxes to the feds.

  • Courting Young Employees
    Small-business owners that want to hire young employees should focus their perks packages on work/life balance benefits.
     


Get Connected Issue 78 -- Click Here For The Entire Contents

  • Solar Power
    Don’t let a dead battery render your cell phone useless. The Solio uses solar power to charge your phone, Palm and even your iPod. Simply attach a cable, press a button and the juice starts flowing.

  • PR Brainstorm
    Just look around you if you need ideas for press releases you can write to promote your small business. Listen to the questions your customers ask.

  • Patent Deductions
    Inventors who operate as sole proprietors can often deduct legal fees related to patents.

  • Don’t Call And Drive
    Last month, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) released new research concluding that drivers using mobile phones are four times more likely to get into crashes serious enough to injure themselves.
     


Get Connected Issue 77 -- Click Here For The Entire Contents

  • Help Wanted
    Whether you’re launching a small business or trying to expand an existing enterprise, a Small Business Development Center (SBDC) can help.

  • Tipping Tip
    The next time you treat a client to a business lunch, be sure you don’t look like a tightwad.

  • Prevent Payroll Penalties
    Before you submit Form 941, Employer’s Quarterly Federal Tax Return, give it a quick review.

  • E-Mail No-No
    Maintain a professional image when sending e-mails relating to your small business.
     


Get Connected Issue 76 -- Click Here For The Entire Contents

  • The Women’s Room
    Working moms have an ally when it comes to balancing self-employment and their families.

  • Clean Ride
    If you chauffeur clients around in your business vehicle, don’t risk making a bad impression.

  • Deduction Clean Up
    The IRS has certified the model year 2006 Toyota Highlander Hybrid as being eligible for the clean-burning fuel deduction.

  • Reaching A Niche
    If your small business wants to reach online users who speak Spanish, check out www.univision.com.
     


Get Connected Issue 75 -- Click Here For The Entire Contents

  • Resource For Women
    Women business owners – or women thinking about launching a business – should check out Digital Women at www.digital-women.com.

  • Retiring Employees
    As the number of workers nearing retirement grows, big companies are bracing for their departure.

  • Taxing Dilemmas
    Trying to resolve tax problems with the IRS can sometimes lead to a standoff.

  • Hooked On E-Mail
    A recent survey by AOL offered good news to small-business owners that want to reach customers by e-mail.
     


Get Connected Issue 74 -- Click Here For The Entire Contents

  • Score Some Ideas
    SCORE, “Counselors to America’s Small Business,” recently expanded its online services with free online guides.

  • Sizing Up Retailers
    Small retailers can enhance shopper loyalty by differentiating themselves in the eyes of consumers.

  • Startup Secrets
    Advice to sole proprietors who are starting a business: Planning for taxes, understanding your liabilities and taking advantage of legitimate deductions is as important to your business as plying your trade.

  • Online Retailing
    A new study, The State of Retailing Online 8.0, an annual Shop.org study conducted by Forrester Research, found that 2004 online sales rose 23.8 percent to $141.4 billion.
     


Get Connected Issue 73 -- Click Here For The Entire Contents

  • Quote Me
    Need a famous quote for your e-newsletter, Web site or next speaking engagement? Check out www.BrainyQuote.com.

  • Link Up
    E-newsletters can impress readers and keep your customers coming back – but only if you present a professional image.

  • Finding Refund Checks
    For those of you lucky enough to get a refund on your federal income taxes, there’s an easy way to track your check.

  • The Men’s Market
    Women aren’t the only consumers shopping until they drop. A 2004 national consumer survey from Simmons Market Research Bureau shows that young men like to shop too.
     


Get Connected Issue 72 -- Click Here For The Entire Contents

  • Mentoring For Women
    For women business owners, being mentored offers an opportunity to learn from those who have built successful small businesses.

  • Web Site Tip
    When selling products on your small-business Web site, be a neat freak. Don’t simply list all of your offerings.

  • 2005 Tax Planning
    The seventh edition of the “CCH Toolkit Tax Guide 2005” is now available to help small-business owners plan for taxes in the year ahead.

  • Don’t Phone Home
    Last year the Federal Communications Commission proposed lifting its ban on the use of cell phones during U.S. air flights.
     


Get Connected Issue 71 -- Click Here For The Entire Contents

  • Network Online
    Online networking sites are proving to be a boon for many small-business owners.

  • Perk Up Employees
    Handing out rewards for a job well done is an effective employee perk.

  • Audit Survival
    If your small business gets tagged for an IRS audit, here are four tips to help you survive

  • Women In Sales
    Don’t assume that salesmen have the competitive edge over saleswomen when it comes to seeking new accounts.
     


Get Connected Issue 70 -- Click Here For The Entire Contents

  • Save More Money
    If you’re looking for a business certificate of deposit, be sure you get the highest interest rate possible.

  • Resignation Routine
    Don’t act surprised when your employees turn in resignations.

  • Looking At Schedule C
    With tax season a wrap, now is great time for sole proprietors to take a close look at their Schedule Cs.

  • Better Accounting
    You might have started your small business using a paper ledger to track income and expenses.
     


Get Connected Issue 69 -- Click Here For The Entire Contents

  • Chill Out
    Notebook computer users listen up. The Targus ChillHub™ is just what you need to cool down hot laptops.

  • Travel Weary
    If you’re spending too much time and energy making travel plans for your small business, maybe it’s time to turn the task over to a travel agent.

  • Speedy Refunds
    Want a faster tax refund? Direct deposit is the way to go. Just follow the directions for “Refund” on your tax return.

  • Avoid Chargebacks
    Chargebacks can be deadly for small retailers. A chargeback is a credit card charge that’s disputed by the card holder or the card issuer.
     


Get Connected Issue 68 -- Click Here For The Entire Contents

  • All In The Family
    For those of you serious about building a family business that will last for generations

  • Voice Mail Tips
    The automated voice mail system your small business uses might be turning off potential customers.

  • Schedule C Help
    Need help preparing Schedule C for your sole proprietorship?

  • Retail Mail
    Your small retail shop could probably boost sales with an old-fashioned, targeted direct mail campaign.
     


Get Connected Issue 67 -- Click Here For The Entire Contents

  • Never Too Old
    People over 50 shouldn’t be afraid to launch their own home-based businesses.

  • Rental Car Savings
    Next time you need a rental car for a business trip, book ahead and rent the smallest car available.

  • Calling For Help
    Put this telephone number in your Rolodex: (800) 829-4933.

  • Finding A Franchise
    Franchises can be a great way for entrepreneurs to build a successful business.
     


Get Connected Issue 66 -- Click Here For The Entire Contents

  • Small-biz Stats
    The U.S. Small Business Administration Office of Advocacy has redesigned its Web site to make finding information easier.

  • PR Tip #1
    Looking for a way to generate media buzz for your small business? Try promoting your goods and services around a unique holiday.

  • Change of Address
    If your business location changed during the tax year, you may want to let the IRS know.

  • Online Sellers Rejoice
    For businesses that sell online, 2004 was an outstanding year. That’s the finding of comScore Networks, which recently released online spending figures for 2004.
     


Get Connected Issue 65 -- Click Here For The Entire Contents

  • Get A Makeover
    Is your business card showing its age? Maybe it’s a time for a facelift. That’s why Jack Bastide launched www.BusinessCardMakeover.com.

  • Meeting Adjourned
    Even small businesses with a handful of employees can succumb to meeting mania.

  • Schedule C Tip
    If you’re a sole proprietor and file Schedule C, don’t forget to deduct the costs of legal services for your small business.

  • Free Reads
    Stay on the leading edge of your industry without spending a bundle.
     


Get Connected Issue 64 -- Click Here For The Entire Contents

  • Power Up PowerPoint
    When creating a PowerPoint presentation, bypass the overused clipart provided by the program. Instead, show your creativity by selecting graphics that offer better quality.

  • Outer Space
    You may own a home-based business. But you don’t have meet with clients in your dining room. Instead, book meeting space in business centers or executive suites.

  • Driving Deduction
    Small-biz owners will get a bigger tax deduction for operating a business vehicle in 2005. The standard mileage rate for the use of a car (including vans, pickups or panel trucks) goes up to 40.5 cents a mile for all business miles driven.

  • This Is Only A Test
    Hiring a new employee can be risky business. What if she doesn’t fit in with other employees? What if his skills aren’t a good match with the job?
     


Get Connected Issue 63 -- Click Here For The Entire Contents

  • Prevent Peeking
    The next time you open your notebook computer, make sure no one can sneak at peek at your private information displayed on the screen. Notebook Privacy Filters from 3M fit over the screen of your notebook.

  • Open Sesame
    Want to increase the open rates on your permission-base e-mail marketing? EmailLabs, www.emaillabs.com, a Web services provider, offers three tips based on its analysis of e-mail marketing

  • Need A New EIN?
    If your small business already has a federal employer tax identification number (EIN), you don’t need to apply for a new one when you change the name or location of your business.

  • The SBA In Spanish
    The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) is now offering additional business resources to its Spanish-speaking customers.
     


Get Connected Issue 62 -- Click Here For The Entire Contents

  • Firsthand Account
    A lousy hotel can tank an otherwise successful business trip. So don’t book that hotel room until you hear what travelers have to say about the accommodations.

  • ‘Tis The Season
    Before you drop those business holiday cards in the mail, follow these three etiquette tips from Lydia Ramsey, founder of Manners That Sell, www.mannersthatsell.com

  • EZ Tax Filing
    Some sole proprietors will get a paperwork break from the IRS in 2005. The tax agency will double the business expense threshold from $2,500 to $5,000 for filing Form 1040, Schedule C-EZ.

  • Get Certified
    The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has unveiled a new online application that women- and minority-owned businesses can use to apply for 8(a) Business Development and Small Disadvantaged Business certification.
     


Get Connected Issue 61 -- Click Here For The Entire Contents

  • Telling Secrets
    Jan Norman, one of the best-known business authors around, has published two new books guaranteed to help you launch a new business. Check them out

  • Promote Yourselft
    Here are two inexpensive promotion ideas every small business can use

  • Multiple Businesses
    If you’re a sole proprietor and operate multiple, unrelated businesses, prepare yourself for a slew of tax preparation paperwork.

  • Get Smart
    Want to reach more clients and consumers without spending a bundle? Find out how to do just that with Kare Anderson’s latest e-book “SmartPartnering: How to Attract and Delight More Consumers While Spending Less.”
     


Get Connected Issue 60 -- Click Here For The Entire Contents

  • Female Financing
    Women who need small loans to launch their businesses should check out Count-Me-In, www.count-me-in.org

  • Family Biz Values
    Looking for a small-business loan? Check out the Bank of America in Charlotte, N.C. It garnered the National Outstanding Lender Award at the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) Expo ’04.

  • No Receipts? No Problem.
    Cash expenses sometimes come without receipts. They may be legitimate business deductions, but you won’t be able to write them off if you don’t have a record of the expenditure.

  • Final Sale
    You may have run your small business single-handedly for years. But when it’s time to sell your firm, don’t go it alone. At the very least, involve a certified public accountant and an attorney.
     


Get Connected Issue 59 -- Click Here For The Entire Contents

  • Host Hunting
    If your small business is in the hunt for a new Web host, check out these three Web sites first. The sites can help you narrow down a list of potential hosts as well as check reliability, ratings and reviews

  • Financial Faves
    Looking for a small-business loan? Check out the Bank of America in Charlotte, N.C. It garnered the National Outstanding Lender Award at the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) Expo ’04.

  • IRS Notices
    If you receive a letter from the IRS, don’t panic. Each year, the IRS sends millions of letters and notices to taxpayers to request payment of taxes, notify them of a change to their account or request additional information.

  • Employee Resignation
    Your top performer just handed in her letter of resignation. You don’t want to lose her, so you immediately think of issuing a counter offer. Before you offer more money or perks in an attempt to persuade her to stay, consider the ramifications.
     


Get Connected Issue 58 -- Click Here For The Entire Contents

  • Online Resource For Women
    The National Association for the Self-Employed (NASE) has launched a new Web site for entrepreneurial women.

  • Informed Uniforms
    Employee uniforms that display your small-business logo are walking advertisements.

  • Taxpayers Beware
    The Internal Revenue Service is warning taxpayers of yet another scam.

  • Linking Up
    Peppering your Web site with links to other relevant sites is a good business practice.
     


Get Connected Issue 57 -- Click Here For The Entire Contents

  • Car Shopping
    Need a new vehicle for your small business? Hate haggling with car lot sales staff? Check out CarBargains.

  • Meeting Turn Offs
    The next time you conduct a business meeting, try these tactics to increase attention and participation.


Get Connected Issue 56 -- Click Here For The Entire Contents

  • Buddy Up
    Women and minority small-business owners can do some serious online networking through Access America, an initiative of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.

  • Hiring Signals
    Wondering if it’s time to hire extra hands? Look at two warning signals.


Get Connected Issue 55 -- Click Here For The Entire Contents

  • Sitting Pretty
    Next time you book a business flight, get the best seat on the plane.

  • Direct Mail Is Not Dead
    E-mail campaigns may be part of your small business marketing mix. But don't give up on old-fashioned direct snail mail.


Get Connected Issue 54 -- Click Here For The Entire Contents

  • Selling To The Feds
    Get the inside scoop about selling to the $200 billion federal government market.

  • Don’t Be A Pest
    Use these tips to keep from becoming a pest to your clients.


Get Connected Issue 53 -- Click Here For The Entire Contents
  • Survey Said
    Online polls and surveys can help you mine valuable customer data. So how can you get one for your Web site?

  • That Is The Question
    Here's a question you might want to spring on your next job candidate: What magazines do you read?


Get Connected Issue 52 -- Click Here For The Entire Contents

  • Love & Money
    Couples who live and work together face unique challenges. Here are some resources you can turn to for advice.

  • Forgotten Resolutions
    The New Year’s resolutions sounded good at the time, but experts say that by the 10th week of each new year, most people feel like failures in adhering to their resolutions.


SPECIAL EDITION
Get Connected
Taxes -- Click Here For The Entire Contents

  • A Big, New Tax Book
    Small-business owners face a monumentally challenging tax season given all of the changes to the tax code in 2003. This book can help sort it all out.

  • Name Game
    If you married, divorced or changed your name for any other reason in 2003, you could be headed for trouble on your tax forms.


Get Connected Issue 51 -- Click Here For The Entire Contents

  • Power Pack
    This handy device lets you organize, protect and charge all of your mobile devices at the same time.

  • Hideaway Hotel
    Before you book that hotel room online, read this.

  •  



Get Connected Issue 50 -- Click Here For The Entire Contents

  • Travel Gear
    Here’s a low-tech gadget every frequent flyer needs.

  • Online Visitors Speak
    Feedback from online visitors can help improve your small-business Web site. But visitors are fickle.
     


Get Connected Issue 49 -- Click Here For The Entire Contents

  • Free Ideas
    This Web site offers fresh ideas to help small-business owners put pizzazz in their marketing campaigns.

  • No Free Rides
    A guaranteed loan from the SBA might be just the ticket you need to finance your enterprise. But, don't think you'll get it for free.
     


Get Connected Issue 48 -- Click Here For The Entire Contents

  • Going Postal
    Looking for a one-stop solution for creating and sending direct-mail pieces? Check this out.

  • Vets For Hire
    Small-biz owners in the market for new hires should take a look at candidates who recently left the military.
     


Get Connected Issue 47 -- Click Here For The Entire Contents

  • Quote Me On That
    Here's a sure-fire success tip for your online and offline press releases.

  • Team Up Against Spam
    Want to show your customers that you're helping wage the fight against spam?
     


Get Connected Issue 46 -- Click Here For The Entire Contents

  • Web site Spruce Up
    Want to give your Web site a fresh look? Check out this tip.

  • Hiring Rules
    Before you run a background check on a job applicant, keep these things in mind.
     


Get Connected Issue 45 -- Click Here For The Entire Contents

  • Hiring Disabled Workers
    If your business is interested in hiring disabled workers, here's an online resource that will help.

  • Fighting A Slump
    Advertising is one great way to fight back against a business slump.
     


Get Connected Issue 44 -- Click Here For The Entire Contents

  • Yellow Pages Tip
    To help decide what information should be displayed prominently in your Yellow Pages ad, listen to consumers.

  • Celebrity Endorsements
    A celebrity endorsement can be a big boost for your small business.
     


Get Connected Issue 43 -- Click Here For The Entire Contents

Get Connected Issue 42 -- Click Here For The Entire Contents

  • Giving More Than You Get?
    Before you deduct a few thousand dollars worth of business gifts on your federal tax return, be aware of these limitations imposed by the IRS.

  • Supplier Discounts
    Have you checked to see if your supplier offers discounts?
     


Get Connected Issue 41 -- Click Here For The Entire Contents

  • No More Typos
    No matter how many times you proofread your marketing materials, errors can still sneak into that printed piece or Web page. Here’s a tip to help you spot those typos before they bite you.

  • The IRS Online
    The IRS has upgraded its version of the Electronic Federal Tax Payment System Web site.
     


Get Connected Issue 40 -- Click Here For The Entire Contents

  • Trading Spaces
    When you’re in the hunt for new business space, look beyond the location and square footage.

  • The Disappearing Refund
    Wondering if you’ll ever receive that IRS tax refund? Now you can check the status of your tax money online.
     


Get Connected Issue 39 -- Click Here For The Entire Contents

  • The Dating Game
    Want a quick way to enhance the value of your Web site?

  • Local Talent
    If your small business is looking to hire local talent, bypass the big Internet job sites and go straight to your local newspaper.
     


Get Connected Issue 38 -- Click Here For The Entire Contents

  • Get Thin
    The wait is over for cost-conscious biz owners who want a flat panel computer monitor.

  • Tax Trip-Up
    Sometimes the simplest things trip you up at tax time.

     


Get Connected Issue 37 -- Click Here For The Entire Contents

  • Court Side
    To stay out of court, try arbitration.

  • Magic Bullets
    To spice up your sales copy in brochures, flyers or on your Web site, use bullets or numbers to emphasize lists.
     


Get Connected Issue 36 -- Click Here For The Entire Contents
  • Bigger Meal Deductions
    Small-business owners can generally deduct only 50 percent of the costs of business-related meals. But there are exceptions.

  • Advertising Punch
    Offering free information to potential customers is a great way to generate inquiries from your online or offline advertising.
     


Get Connected Issue 35 -- Click Here For The Entire Contents

Get Connected Issue 34 -- Click Here For The Entire Contents
  • Hard Disk Wipe Out
    When you’re ready to ditch your old computer, be sure to remove data from the hard drive before you send your old machine away.

  • IM—All The Rage
    Instant messaging (IM) isn’t just for teenagers anymore.
     


Get Connected Issue 33 -- Click Here For The Entire Contents
  • Don’t Tote The Note
    Unless you operate the local bank, think twice before extending credit to customers. More Info

  • Show Me The Money
    If you’re looking for investors for your small business, look into this Web site. More Info
     


Get Connected Issue 32 -- Click Here For The Entire Contents
  • PowerPoint Pointers
    Free resources to help you create powerful PowerPoint presentations. More Info

  • Give Wisely
    Check out this charitable contribution tip. More Info



Get Connected Issue 31 --
Click Here For The Entire Contents
  • Give 'Em Freebies
    Here's a tip to increase customer loyalty -- give a freebie to top customers who make a purchase. More Info

  • FAQ Page Advice
    The FAQ page on your business Web site should do more than simply answer questions. More Info
     


Get Connected Issue 30 -- Click Here For The Entire Contents
  • Move Over Data
    Transferring data from your old computer to your new one is never a pleasant chore. More Info

  • Save Those Receipts
    The IRS doesn’t require that you save receipts for meal expenses of less than $75. But don’t get too excited. More Info
     


Get Connected Issue 29 -- Click Here For The Entire Contents
  • Just The Stats
    To write a killer business plan you need data—numbers, figures and statistics that are often hard to find. More Info

  • No Free Ride
    If your S corporation owns a vehicle, you can deduct 100 percent of the expenses. But, as always, the IRS provides a caveat to the rule. More Info
     


Get Connected Issue 28 -- Click Here For The Entire Contents
  • Staying Small
    Making your business successful without becoming the goliath on the block is a balancing act. Now there's a book that can help. More Info

  • Walk In Their Shoes
    Before you pitch your products or services to multicultural markets, prepare your business to deliver what you promise. More Info
     


Get Connected Issue 27 -- Click Here For The Entire Contents
  • SBA For Spanish Speakers
    The SBA has launched a new Web site aimed at reaching the growing Hispanic small-business community. More Info

  • Leasing A Computer
    Leasing a computer might be the right financial move for your small business. But don't assume that leasing will relieve you of all the technological headaches. More Info
     


Get Connected Issue 26 -- Click Here For The Entire Contents
  • Safe Surfing
    Don't take chances with your computer security. More Info

  • Advertising Redo
    Need to increase the number of ads you run without increasing your advertising budget? More Info
     


Get Connected Issue 25 -- Click Here For The Entire Contents
  • The Terminator
    Before you terminate an employee for any reason, make sure you follow the rules. More Info

  • Web Sites That Sell
    Pump up sales on your Web site by playing to the strengths online buying offers over traditional bricks and mortar retail. More Info
     


Get Connected Issue 24 -- Click Here For The Entire Contents
  • A Google Alternative
    There’s a new search engine on the Web that might challenge the leader Google. More Info

  • Take A Number
    If you’re just starting your business, you may need a federal employer identification number. More Info


Get Connected Issue 23 -- Click Here For The Entire Contents
  • Guard Your Notebook
    Need an anti-theft device for your notebook computer? Check out the Notebook Guardian ComboLock from PC Guardian. More Info

  • Sponsor An E-Newsletter
    If you don’t want the hassle of publishing your own e-newsletter, sponsor one instead. More Info
     


Get Connected Issue 22 -- Click Here For The Entire Contents
  • Mobile Mouse
    If you need a mobile mouse to accompany your notebook computer on business trips, check out the Kensington PocketMouse Pro.  More Info

  • Timing Sales Calls
    To beat the majority of business prospectors out there, make your sales pitches at non-prime time business hours. More Info
     


Get Connected Issue 21 -- Click Here For The Entire Contents
  • Web Site Appeal
    Add more user-friendly appeal to your Web site by allowing visitors to subscribe to multiple e-mail newsletters. More Info

  • Quick Cash
    The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) could have just the cash you need in its CAPLines program. More Info
     


Get Connected Issue 20 -- Click Here For The Entire Contents
  • For Publicity Hounds
    When it comes to getting the word out about your small business, nothing beats free publicity. If you can’t do it yourself or hire an expensive public relations agency, try Getpress.com. More Info

  • Back In Biz
    For many small enterprises the economic slowdown is giving way and business is picking up again. More Info


Get Connected Issue 19 -- Click Here For The Entire Contents

  • Online Angel Investors
    You’ve probably heard about loans available through the U.S. Small Business Administration. But a lesser-known program, Angel Capital Electronic Network, may be just what your fledging enterprise needs. More Info

  • Seize the Per Diem
    Need to know the federal per diem rates for traveling on business in Santa Fe or Santa Barbara? More Info



Get Connected Issue 18 --
Click Here For The Entire Contents
  • Accounting for Contractors
    If you do business as a handyman, fix-it person or contractor, check out this CD-ROM. More Info

  • Spice Up Sales Copy
    When writing a sales letter, business brochure or other marketing piece, use these tips to grab a potential customer’s attention. More Info



Get Connected Issue 17 --
Click Here For The Entire Contents
  • Brochures To Go
    Want to turn your messy marketing ideas into glossy, color brochures that promote your business? More Info

  • Human Resources Help
    If you haven't defined policies regarding sick leave, vacation time, bonuses and other employee issues, it may be time to order a human resources audit. More Info



Get Connected Issue 16 --
Click Here For The Entire Contents
  • Postcard Marketing
    They're inexpensive, easy to create and effective. If you haven't discovered the rewards of marketing with postcards, check this out. More Info

  • How Shoppers Shop
    Judging from these results, you don't want to replace your brick and mortar with a Web site just yet. More Info



Get Connected Issue 15 --
Click Here For The Entire Contents
  • Jazz Up Your Site
    Need to put some pizzazz in your Web site? Try these ideas. More Info

  • Don't Click To Remove
    Many spammers offer a “remove” or “unsubscribe” link in their e-mails. You may be tempted to click the link in an effort to stop the flood of unwanted e-mails. But the experts say that’s not always a smart move. More Info
     


Get Connected Issue 14 -- Click Here For The Entire Contents

  • Brand Your Biz with Music
    Big retailers like Target and Old Navy extend their brand identification with music by selling their own compilations of CDs to customers. But you don't have to be a mega-store to brand your biz through music. More Info

  • Interviewing A Tax Pro
    Before you hire a tax professional for your business, decide what problem areas and issues you want the advisor to address. More Info
     


Get Connected Issue 13 -- Click Here For The Entire Contents

  • Postage At Your Desk
    If your small office is mailing out a dozen or more pieces of mail each day, you might want to check out the benefits of a postage meter. More Info

  • Smile When You Say That
    Susan Berkley says that business owners and sales people can increase sales just by learning to use their voices more effectively. More Info
     


Get Connected Issue 12 -- Click Here For The Entire Contents

  • Spam Alert
    It wastes your time. It irritates you. Some days it infuriates you. You’ve tried to block, delete and unsubscribe. Yet spam just keeps coming. Maybe it’s time to get some help. More Info

  • Credit Checks
    Pulling a credit report on clients that are likely to run a big tab is standard operating procedure for businesses. But, before you run a credit check on a customer, know the law. More Info
     



Get Connected Issue 11 --
Click Here For The Entire Contents

  • Letters That Sell
    Let respected author Herschell Gordon Lewis teach you how to deliver sales letters that bring in new business. More Info

  • Franchise Fine Print
    Before you buy a franchise, be sure to read the Uniform Franchise Offering Circular (UFOC). More Info
     



Get Connected Issue 10 --
Click Here For The Entire Contents
  • Virus Protection
    Don’t leave your business vulnerable to nasty computer viruses. They’re a proven threat, even to small businesses.  More Info

  • Kids & Biz
    Kids and home businesses don’t make a natural match. But, holding a family meeting can help you happily cohabitate. More Info
     


Get Connected Issue 9 -- Click Here For The Entire Contents

  • Compaq's Evo N200 Notebook
    This notebook computer weighs a mere 2.5 pounds and easily fits inside a FedEx letter-size envelope. But its size doesn’t mean you sacrifice features. More Info

  • Image Is Everything
    Every small-biz owner hears the advice. “Differentiate yourself from the competition.” The lingering question is always, “How?” More Info
     


Get Connected Issue 8 -- Click Here For The Entire Contents

  • Lessons To Learn
    Whether you’re starting up a small business or facing new challenges in your existing enterprise, you don’t have to learn lessons the hard way by repeating the mistakes of others.  More Info

  • Read It And Reap Deductions
    You may not be able to take a big bite out of your small-business tax bill, but you can nibble away by finding often-missed deductions.  More Info
     



Get Connected Issue 7 --
Click Here For The Entire Contents
  • Parking Online
    Looking for a convenient, safe place to park your car while you fly away on a business trip?  More Info

  • Low-Cost Ads
    Need to squeeze every penny out of your advertising budget? Search out print publications that offer remnant space.  More Info



Get Connected Issue 6 --
Click Here For The Entire Contents
  • Sales Tax Deductible
    On your personal federal tax return, you can’t deduct sales taxes you paid throughout the year. But, you can score a sales tax deduction on your business return. 
    More Info

  • Language Of Job Advertisements
    Before you place that advertisement to attract new talent to your business, be aware of the words you use.  
    More Info


Get Connected Issue 5 -- Click Here For The Entire Contents

  • Tips To Retain Employees
    If you want to retain employees, be sure they understand the real worth of the compensation package you provide as an employer. More Info

  • Don't Get Duped On Directories
    Small-business owners who are hungry for marketing exposure make bulls-eye targets for shysters and scam artists. One of the most familiar frauds is inclusion in a directory. More Info


Get Connected Issue 4 -- Click Here For The Entire Contents

  • Last Minute Passports
    Need to renew your passport or get a new one in a hurry? More Info

  • Get A Break For Getting Smart
    Other things you can deduct as business expenses you may not have thought of. More Info


Get Connected Issue 3 -- Click Here For The Entire Contents

  • Tax Savings On Employee Benefits
    If you want to add a perk to you employee benefits package—and save tax dollars at the same time—take at look at the new tax changes. More Info

  • How To Collect Your Cash
    Don’t let deadbeat clients drain money from your business. If you’re having trouble collecting money that’s due from slow-paying customers, follow these tips. More Info


Get Connected Issue 2 -- Click Here For The Entire Contents

  • Maximize Every Moment
    Need a time management tool that really works? EC's latest recommended reading brings you time management tips and techniques for more success with less stress. More Info

  • Cut Your Tax Bill—A Little
    You can shave a few dollars off your tax bill each year by giving gifts to clients rather than treating them to a meal. More Info
     


Get Connected Issue 1 --Click Here For The Entire Contents

  • Successful Reading
    Business guru and author Brian Tracy believes that successful people abide by a set of "universal laws," and his recent book makes them available to every entrepreneur who strives to be the best. More Info

  • Get An Education -- And A Deduction
    Small businesses offering employer-provided educational assistance can reap some tax advantages. More Info

 
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