Business Library: Articles for Small Businesses & Entrepreneurs
These articles have been selected by Portland SCORE to provide information on subjects relating to the starting of and running of small businesses. This Business Library is a compliment to the Web Resource Links and together you will find much of the information that you need to successful start and run a business.
Our sincere thanks to the authors, both from within SCORE, and from the business community at large, who so graciously gave permission for SCORE to host these articles.
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Business Planning
7 Reasons to Write a Business Plan
by Susan Martin
The process of creating a business plan and thinking things through has helped many business owners learn what it takes to be successful. This article covers the key reasons why writing a business plan is critical for success.
Do I Want (Need) A Partner?
by Alan Shaver
Are you considering a partnership arrangement for your business? Are
you currently in a partnership that is not working? This article
explains some of the basic ingredients of a successful partnership and
why it is very much like a good marriage.
Financing Your Business
Financing Your Business
by SCORE & Circle Lending, Inc.
How to borrow money from people you know. This guide has been written with the intent of providing useful information, tips, and strategies to individuals who are considering a private business loan.
Franchising
Understanding Franchising
by Alan Shaver
Buying or opening a franchised business is much like starting or purchasing any other business, except there are some legal hurdles to get past, and some advantages may exist. This article is an excellant overview of the opportunities and risks associated with franchising
Maine Business Formation
Summary of Maine Business Entity Forms
by SCORE Portland
Table showing various forms of legal business entity. Includes information about ownership, liabilities, and taxes.
Marketing
7 Crucial Steps Before Marketing Your Service or Product
by Susan Martin
You don't need a large marketing budget to generate sales for your product or service. But you will need to take some important steps in order to "position" yourself in the marketplace. Here are 7 steps you won't want to skip:
Time Management
The 7 Deadliest Time Management Mistakes
by Susan Martin
Time management is critical to business Success. NYC based Business Coach, Consultant and Strategist Susan Martin will give you insight about and concrete steps to improve your time management.
Website Articles by CS Wurzberger
9 ways to market your Web site via offline marketing
by C S Wurzberger and Pam Foster
To reach your customers in today’s cluttered market, having your site domain name on all your printed “offline” materials (business cards, letterhead, etc.) are just as important as your Internet/online tactics.
Boost online profits by including Web site content that sells
by C S Wurzberger and Pam Foster
“Content is King” is the rule of thumb in the Web industry because the content, or copy, is your online salesperson. Discover how marketing content makes all the difference.
Define your Web site's purpose to boost online success
by C S Wurzberger and Pam Foster
To build a successful Web site or to improve your existing site, you need to clearly define its objectives. These four questions will help you.
How to choose a domain name that will drive customers to your site
by C S Wurzberger and Pam Foster
Having the right domain name (also known as your URL or Web address) is absolutely critical in helping your customers will find your business in the Internet Jungle.
How to choose the right Web host to ensure online success
by C S Wurzberger and Pam Foster
Choosing your Web host is very important because you need to trust that your site is functioning at all times!
How to make sure your Web site's design is helping, not hindering, your chances for online success
by C S Wurzberger and Pam Foster
Learn how a great site design clearly outlines all the functions and features you need on your site to have the best chance of generating profits.
How your Web site's graphic design can help more customers buy from you
by C S Wurzberger and Pam Foster
While it’s very unlikely that you’ll be designing the graphics on your site yourself, it’s important to know about the graphic design considerations that are unique to the Web.
Know your keywords for search engine marketing success
by C S Wurzberger and Pam Foster
The foundation of successful Web marketing is in knowing the keywords your prospects use in search engines to find solutions to their needs. Find out what this means for you.
Measure your Web marketing results to find opportunities for more sales
by C S Wurzberger and Pam Foster
It’s important to monitor your online marketing efforts on a regular basis so you can make improvements. There are several ways to do this
Pay-Per-Click (PPC) advertising can significantly improve your search engine ranking and online sales
by C S Wurzberger and Pam Foster
PPC is a great way to enhance your site’s visibility and even guarantee you the top position of a search-engine page at least some of the time. Find out why.
Three ways to make it easier for customers to buy
by C S Wurzberger and Pam Foster
Your Web site’s functional design, graphic design and content will make—or
break—your online shop success. By paying close attention to all three of these areas, you’ll make it easier for your customers to buy from you.
Turn your Web site into a profitable marketing tool
by C S Wurzberger and Pam Foster
Discover the 9 easy steps to planning a profitable Web site, from defining its purpose and choosing the best domain name to following proven marketing tactics that improve results.
Web "Usability" is a key factor in whether your site is profitable. . .or not
by C S Wurzberger and Pam Foster
What is Web “usability” and why does it matter? Learn how it plays a critical role in the experiences your customers have on your site, so they’ll buy from you.
What you can plan to spend on launching a profitable Web site
by C S Wurzberger and Pam Foster
The Web development community seems to shy away from revealing their prices unless they’re dirt cheap. Here’s the truth about Web development costs.
Looking for more help with your business? Contact SCORE now and make an appointment for your FREE and completely confidential counseling session either at our Portland Maine office or one of our other Southern Maine locations.
Need an explanation or discussion about any of the material in any of these articles? Come in for no-charge counseling.
Or attend one of our small business workshops.
,
Maine Business Brokers
Starting Your Own Business:
This workshop covers the finance, legal, marketing, accounting, and insurance aspects of starting a business. The information is presented in an interactive presentation format with time allocated for questions.
Tuesday Sep 09, 2008
6 - 9 PM
Register Now
Marketing and Sales:
There is no element of business success more important than marketing and sales. Why do customers buy? How often do they buy? What should the price be? This workshop will help you answer these and many other critical questions.
Tuesday Sep 16, 2008
6 - 9 PM
Register Now
Writing A Business Plan:
There is a critical difference between businesses that succeed and those that fail. And it's not a matter of luck. This workshop will provide you with the knowledge you need to develop a successful Business Plan.
Tuesday Sep 23, 2008
6 - 9 PM
Register Now
WebSite Reviews:
This is the second of a two workshoop series designed to aacquaint the student with the basics of web site design, creation and review. For $50 the first 7 people to apply will get a complete web site review by our computer web expert C. S. Wurzburger. For $30 up to 20 additional people may attend to take notes and learn the process. Success passes do not apply for this special workshop.
Thursday Sep 25, 2008
5:30 to 7:30 PM
Register Now
