ADVERTISE for LESS

8 inexpensive but effective ways to promote your business

There are a number of ways an entrepreneur can make his business known without shelling out so much cash.

1. EMPLOY WORD-OF-MOUTH MARKETING
A recommendation from a friend is the most trusted source of information when making a purchase decision. So generate positive conversations about your product by taking advantage of social net sites like friendster and facebook, or blogging and twittering.

2. INVEST IN A WEBSITE
A website is a big plus since aside from publishing prices and information, viewers also get to see what the products look like without having to venture all the way to your store. Include your website address in the flyers that you give.

3. GIVE OUT FREEBIES
Example is you include in your flyers a free taste that the customers can claim to your store, that is for food business.

4. USE COMPANY TOOLS
If you use a car or van for your business, you can use this as your very own moving billboard - for free!. Other things you can place your brand on: packaging materials and even uniforms.

5. JOIN BAZAARS AND TRADE FAIRS
You may shell out a bit more cash for this, but it allows you to display your products and enables clients to place orders on tye spot. Provide a guest book so that you can get in touch with your prospect clients even if the exhibit is over. If the booth rentals too costly for you find another entrepreneur to share booth space with.

6. SEND OUT FLYERS

7. GET MEDIA EXPOSURE
Simply send samples of your products or invite the media to try out your services for free; if they like the experience, they will be more than happy to put in a good word for you when the opportuniy comes up.

8. SPONSOR TV SHOWS
You don't have to take out an ad to appear in a tv show; some are actually open to ex-deals. You can simply provide food for the staff and crew of the show (i.e.Umagang Kay Ganda, Sis, Unang Hirit, 24 Oras, TV Patrol, etc) in exchange, either your company name will be mentioned or your logo will be flashed on air. It's very effective. GMA 7 at (632) 982 - 7777 and ABS-CBN at (632) 924 - 4101.

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DID YOU KNOW THAT?

• ACCENTURE, the global management consulting, technology services, and outsourcing company, is said to be the largest consulting firm in the world, employing more that 178,000 people in 49 countries. It is headquaretered in Campus Kronberg, Germany.

• The International Business Machines (IBM) has been known through most of its recent history as the world's largest computer company; and with over 388, 000 employees worldwide, it is the largest information technology employer in the world.

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8 WAYS TO RAISE FUNDS FOR YOUR BUSINESS

Many people are afraid to go into business because they don't want to gamble their life savings away; the good news is you don't have to.
There are many financial alternatives that entrepreneurs can avail of; in fact banks are mandated by law to allocate at least 8 percent of their net lending portfolio to small businesses. With that piece of encouraging news in mind, here are a few ways to obtain capital for your business:

1. TAKE OUT A PERSONAL LOAN
2. OBTAIN A BANK LOAN
3. ENTER INTO A JOINT VENTURE
4. USE CREDIT CARDS
5. AVAIL OF CHECK REDISCOUNTING
6. TRY CONSIGNING
7. LIQUIDATE PORTFOLIO INVESTMENTS
8. TAP A VENTURE CAPITALIST

source: Masigasig Magazine August 2008 issue

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Ring in the Season: 8 WAYS TO PREPARE YOUR RETAIL BUSINESS FOR THE CHRISTMAS RUSH

1. Good forecasting.

2. Coordinate with your suppliers.

3. That said, make sure you order enough- and the right kind - of stocks.

4. Organize your delivery system.

5. Dress up your store.

6. Beef up your staff.

7. Give out promos.

8. Clean up.

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HAGGLING DOs and DON'Ts

• Whether you're a customer or supplier, be courteous and friendly, but firm. Know how to sweet-talk your way into a deal.

• This applies for customers and suppliers as well: Don't be too serious; have a sense of humor. If they like you, you will almost always get a better deal. You can even make friends.

• Buying from a supplier? Know when to accept an offer. Don't waste time (or the seller's time) bargaining if you have no intentions of buying.

• Master the art of conversing with clients. Experience is the best teacher of all, so suppliers should deal with clients personally.
  

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ICE CREAM BUSINESS IDEAS

Selling ice cream is a good business to get into because people for all ages love it, regardless of income segment. However, it is by nature a seasonal product; sales usually dip during the cold season like this Christmas and rainy months, so you must think about expanding your offerings.
The good news is there are many kinds of ice cream. These include but are not limited to:

1. Premium or super - premium ice cream.


2. Organic or all - natural ice cream. You use only organic ingredients


3. Exotic ice cream. Durian flavored ice cream? Wasabi ice cream?Hehehe

4. Soft - serve ice cream. Examples are Mr. Softy and Creamy D'Lite

5. Gelato. Italian ice cream made from liquid, milk or water; solod, sugar, fats or sweeteners; flavorings, pastes, fruit powders; stabilizers, guar gum, locust bean, etc.; emulsifiers, mono- and digylcerides; and air.

6. Sherbert or sorbet

7. Frozen yogurt

8. Frozen custard

9. Other products and services you can offer through your ice cream shop include:
* Ice cream cakes
* Hosting birthday and other parties in your shop
* Catering services (Providing ice cream and frozen desserts for off-site events)

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19 STEPS TO FRANCHISE SUCCESS

1. Ask yourself the reason for getting a franchise.
2. Know where the investment money is coming from.
3. Assess how much time you will spend in day-to-day operations.
4. Do a thorough search of franchise businesses.
5. Select one thathas the strongest appeal.
6. Try out the products and services of your chosen business.
7. Check and compare if the products and services are consistent with other branches.
8. Scout for an ideal location for your chosen franchise business.
9. Visit the franchisor's head office and inquire about the franchise offering.
10. Procure all the necessary information including the procedures for applying for a franchise.
11. Discuss with family about the franchise. Seek the opinion of members with an open mind.
12. If getting inot business shall involve having partners,do analyze and have a written agreement.
13. Meet and talk with existing franchisees of the franchise business.
14. Study and consult with legal counsel before signing the franchise agreement.
15. Make a financial and market study of the location.
16. Personally meet the franchisor and partners aside from dealing with the employees.
17. Prepare questions to ask from the franchisor and franchisees.
18. Find out who will be involoved in the training and preparation.
19. Watch out for franchisors who make verbal promises. Make sure everything is written in the franchise agreement.

Source: F&B World Magazine, July - August 2007 issue

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Is FRANCHISING For Me?

How to know if buying a franchise is right for you.
(Masigasig Magazine November 2008 issue)
Buying a franchise is not something to take lightly because of the investment and long-term relationship involved. So make sure to ask yourself the following when considering a franchise business:

1. "Do I know what kind of person I am?"

2. "Will I be a good follower?"

3. "Do I believe in the product or service?"

4 . "Do I know the perfect spot?"

5. "Do I have the resources?"

If you answer all the questions positively,then you might be the perfect partner a franchisor is looking for. See if they are the perfect fit for you by checking out the members of the Association of Filipino Franchisers Inc. at http://www.affi.com.ph

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Business franchises for a young entreps

What are the businesses viable for franchising for a young entrepreneur with a small investment.

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helpful org's for entrepreneurs

Please post any organization with their websites that are concern with business and other things about running it.

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