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Bootstrapper's
Success Secrets: 12 Fabulous Resources Every Bootstrappin' Entrepreneur
Should Know About
© 2000,
by Kimberly Stansell
- Every year U.S. companies
spend billions of dollars on incentives. These giveaways run
the gamut, from the use of professional services to the distribution
of information that an uninitiated person would otherwise pay
for. Through the years of bootstrapping my ideas into existence,
I have developed a real knack for taking advantage of free and
low-cost resources. The result: I have been able to free up and
use my cash to invest in other critical areas of my business.
If you're looking for ways to fatten up a slim budget, then read
on.
There are literally hundreds of business goodies available to
bootstrappers. The space here does not allow me to list all the
gems tucked away in my rolodex, files and book, Bootstrapper's
Success Secrets: 151 Tactics for Building Your Business on a
Shoestring Budget
(Career Press). I can, however, share with you twelve resources
that can help advance your efforts, regardless of your checkbook
balance. Just give 'em a try.
1. Counseling: One of my most notable experiences as
an entrepreneur came through a free counseling session from the
Service Corps of Retired Executives (SCORE). At that time I was
interested in catalog marketing. SCORE hooked me up with the
retired head of catalog operation for Sears Roebuck--a free session
to pick the brain of a veteran.
SCORE offers face-to-face as well as e-mail counseling sessions.
For more information on how to use SCORE's services, visit its
web site at http://www.score.org or call 800-634-0245.
2. Customer
Service:
The least
expensive way to make more money and grow faster is to be perceived
as a service leader in your customers' eyes. You can find some
great ideas and information on how to create or revamp your customer
service program from the online world. Check out Service
Quality Institute,
International
Customer Service Association, and "Outrageous
Customer Service Tips!" online newsletter.
3. Employment
and Recruitment Assistance: Thinking
about putting other people's muscle to work in your business?
"How to Hire Smart" by Robert Half International (P.O.
Box 4157, New York, NY 10163) can help protect you from making
costly hiring blunders.
4. Exhibits
and Displays: Setting
up a display at a trade show, conference, or networking event
can be an effective way to market your business. "Tips &
Techniques for Exhibiting Success" provides you with a step-by-step
approach to planning, implementing, and evaluating every event.
Request a copy from 800-732-9395.
5. Mailings:
You can
learn how to increase the effectiveness of, save money on, and
plan and strategize all your business mailing with the small-business
publications, software and other information available from the
U.S. Postal Service. Contact the National Customer Support Center
at 800-238-3150 or visit http://www.usps.gov.
6. Marketing:
If fine
arts is your business (i.e., painter, photographer, sculptor
or other craft artist), you can get free marketing advice from
the Art Marketing Hotline (800-999-7013), sponsored by Color
Q Inc. Others can learn how to improve their networking know-how
from the new web site, CONTACTS COUNT. Site offers articles,
quizzes and checklists to help you find clients, give and get
referrals, and beef up your professional credibility.
7. Newsletter
Production:
Promotional newsletters are a great way to stay in touch with
your customers and educate the marketplace about your product
or service. It's important, though, that your missive speaks
well of you. "Newsletter Nameplate," a bimonthly newsletter,
features writing, editing, design and marketing tips for newsletter
producers. You can sign up for a one-year subscription by sending
in a copy of your publication or requesting an application. Contact:
Ruddle Creative, Suite 715, 111 N. Market Street, San Jose, CA
95113-9925; phone: 800-778-3353 or e-mail: nameplate@ruddle.com.
8. Relocation: "The Entrepreneur's
Relocation Guide" provides you with a six-step plan for
relocating yourself, your family and your business. The guide
includes money-saving tips, research strategies for evaluating
a new location, and relocate profiles. It's available while the
supply last. Send your request along with $3.00 (shipping/handling)
to: Kimberly Stanséll, Suite 306C, 6308 W. 89th Street,
Los Angeles, CA 90045.
9. Research:
Some
of the most extensive demographic and business-related data is
offered by the Census Bureau. "Taking Care of Business:
A Guide to Census Bureau Data for Small Businesses" explains
how to access and use the data offered by the Bureau. It also
includes a listing of State Data Centers (SDCs) and Business
and Industry Data Centers (BIDCs), which offer access to computers
and other databases at no charge. Contact: Customer Service Branch,
Bureau
of the Census,
Washington, DC 20233.
10. Training: "America at Work,"
produced by the Microsoft Corporation, is a six-part video series
dedicated to helping you learn how to better manage your business.
Topics include: marketing your business, getting started with
technology, and doing business on the Internet. The series is
available for viewing at Small Business Development Centers (http://www.sba.gov or 800-827-5722) nationwide
at no charge.
11. Value-Added
Program Benefits:
A book, audio- or videocassette or seminar slot may be earmarked
for you through one of your service provider's small office or
home office (SOHO) division. These customer programs offer a
potpourri of business resources at no charge. For example, Bell
Atlantic Knowledge Centers (800/867-6000) offer hands-on small
business computer applications, and free technology workshops
and professional development seminars; and a special series of
financial and business audio tapes. Pacific Bell and Southwestern
Bell offer its customers a "New Business Start-Up Kit,"
which available by calling 888-782-7887. Other value-added programs
may available through your bank, Internet provider, or long-distance
carrier.
12. Writing
assistance:
The Grammar Hotline is a telephone service that provides free
answers to short questions about writing, grammar, punctuation,
spelling, diction and syntax. For a copy of the "Grammar
Hotline Directory," send a business-size SASE to Tidewater
Community College Writing Center, 1700 College Crescent, Virginia
Beach, VA 23456.
- Kimberly
Stanséll is an internationally-recognized entrepreneurial
trainer and author of Bootstrapper's
Success Secrets: 151 Tactics for Building Your Business on a
Shoestring Budget, and the forthcoming Witty Workin' WomanTM:
A Problem-Solving Guide for Professional Women. A retired
corporate personnel director, Stanséll launched her first
venture with only $328.21! Visit Kimberly's
web site to have her Bootstrappin' Tip of the Week sent to
you automatically each week, or contact her at: PMB 306 · 6308
W. 89th Street · Los Angeles, CA 90045; Phone: 310-568-9861;
E-mail: kimberly@kimberlystansell.com
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